Frilled shark
The frilled shark is recognized as one of the most primitive shark species, distinguished by its eel-like appearance and unique anatomical features. It has broad, triangular teeth and six long gill flaps that give it a frilled appearance around its head. Typically reaching a length of 6½ feet (200 centimeters), the frilled shark has tough, leathery skin that is light grey on top and paler underneath. Its body is designed for maneuverability rather than speed, with wide pectoral fins and a tail that features a long upper lobe. This species inhabits deep ocean waters, usually between 1,000 to 2,000 feet (300 to 600 meters), and is found off the coasts of regions such as Australia, South Africa, Chile, California, and Europe.
Frilled sharks primarily feed on fish, utilizing their ability to open their mouths wide to swallow prey whole. Although much about their breeding habits remains unknown, it is established that females are ovoviviparous, giving birth to 6 to 12 live young after developing eggs inside their bodies. The frilled shark presents a fascinating glimpse into the evolutionary history of sharks, making it a subject of interest for marine biologists and enthusiasts alike.
Subject Terms
Frilled shark
The frilled shark is the most primitive shark and has an almost eel-like appearance. Its broad, triangular teeth offer a clue to the age of this species. Fossilized teeth have been discovered which match those of the frilled shark.
Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Order: Chlamydoselachiformes
Family: Chlamydoselachidae
Genus: Chlamydoselachus
Species: Anguineus
There is only one species in the order of frilled shark. The frilled shark receives its name from its six long gill flaps which form a frill around its head. The frilled shark reaches a full-grown length of 6 1/2 feet (200 centimeters). Its tough, leathery skin is light-grey on the fish's upper parts, turning paler below. The pectoral fins of the frilled shark are wide and rounded at their ends. The pelvic fins, single dorsal fin, and the anal fin are placed well towards the rear of this fish's body, close to its caudal, or tail, fin. The caudal fin has a long, pointed, upper section, called a lobe, and a small lower lobe. The size and placement of the frilled shark's fins indicate that it is not a particularly fast-swimming fish. Its body is designed more for maneuverability between rocks then for speed.
The frilled shark looks unlike any other shark. At first glance, the frilled shark could more easily be mistaken for a large eel than a shark. Discovered in the Japanese bay of Sagami in the late 1800's, the frilled shark was quickly placed into a category of its own.
The frilled shark lives at depths of 1,000 to 2,000 feet (300 to 600 meters). It inhabits a broad range of waters off the coasts of Australia, South Africa, Chile, California, and Europe.
The diet of the frilled shark consists of fish. The frilled shark's mouth is designed to open widely. This enables it to swallow its prey whole.
Very little is known about the breeding habits of the frilled shark. It is known that the female is ovoviviparous. This means her young develop within eggs, within her body, hatch from the eggs while still inside their mother and are then born live. The frilled shark usually gives birth to 6 to 12 young.
The life span of the frilled shark is unknown.