| Isurus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Shortfin mako shark (I. oxyrinchus) | |
 | |
| Longfin mako shark (I. paucus) | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Chondrichthyes |
| Order: | Lamniformes |
| Family: | Lamnidae |
| Genus: | Isurus Rafinesque, 1810 |
| Type species | |
| Isurus oxyrinchus Rafinesque, 1810 | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Isurus, commonly known as themako sharks, is agenus of fast-swimming sharks in the familyLamnidae. They are in fact the fastest-swimming shark.[2] This is in the samefamily as thegreat white shark.Isurus ranges in length from 2.5 to 4.5 metres (8 to 15 ft), and can grow to about 800 kilograms (1,760 lb). The genus has a long fossil history.[3]
There are two livingspecies in this genus: the common shortfin mako shark and the rare longfin mako shark.
The shortfin mako shark, as the name suggests, has smallerpectoral fins to the Longfin mako shark. The shortfin mako shark also has smallereyes. It is smaller than the Longfin mako shark, reaching a maximum length of 3.8 metres, but weighs more, with the heaviest shortfin mako shark found weighing 506 kg (1116 pounds).[4]
The shortfin mako has a wide distribution, being found intropical andtemperate waters throughout the world'soceans. It is a truepelagicspecies, but it inhabits the cooler, deeper water of tropical regions. The shortfin mako shark has been recorded at depths of up to 740 metres.[4]
The shortfin mako is the fastest species of shark known, reaching speeds of up to 32 km/h (20 mph),[4] and with bursts of up to 74 kilometres per hour (46 mph).[5] Its great speed helps it to capture other fast swimminganimals on which it preys. The shortfin mako shark feeds on pelagic fish such asswordfish,tunas, and othersharks, as well assquid.[4] The shortfin mako holds the record for the longest distance travel: about 2,130 kilometres (1,320 mi) in 37 days. This is an average of about 58 kilometres (36 mi) per day.[4]
Shortfin mako often leap in sets of three. The third leap is usually the highest. It can reach as high as 5–6 metres (16–20 ft) above the surface.[5] This high-leaping fish is a highly sought-aftergame fish worldwide. There are cases when an angry shortfin jumped into a boat after it was hooked.[6]
The longfin mako shark has longerpectoral fins and largereyes than the shortfin shark. It is longer than the shortfin, reaching a maximum length of 4.2 metres. However, it weighs less than the shortfin, weighing up to only 70 kg (154 pounds).
The longfin mako is apelagicspecies, and is found in theIndian,Pacific, andAtlantic Ocean. It is common in the western Atlantic and central Pacific, but elsewhere it is rare. It is thought to be a bottom-dwellingshark, living intropical and warmtemperate waters, but this is uncertain.
Not a lot is known about the Longfin mako shark's feeding habits, but it is thought to feed on schoolingfish and pelagiccephalopods.[4]