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snout: tip round & black, length >/= mouth widthno ridge between DsD2 origin over A originCarcharhinus acronotus, Blacknose sharkteeth: top - narrow oblique point, strong side notch, serrated; bottom - narrow, smoothfins not dark tipped
under pectoral pale -
snout long (>/= mouth width), broad
nostril flaps high, triangularD1 high, origin near rear insertion of pectoralhigh crest between DsCarcharhinus altimus, Bignose sharkpectoral long, straight -
body slender
snout wide, blunt pointD1 origin ~over free inner tip of pectoral
Ds small~no ridge between DsCarcharhinus brachyurus, Copper shark, Narrowtooth shark, Bronze whaler sharkpectoral long, straightcolor plain -
snout long, narrow, pointed
eyes smallD1 origin over/behind pectoral free tip
D2 origin over A originno ridge between DsCarcharhinus brevipinna, Spinner sharktop & bottom teeth: tips narrow, straight, top serratedblack tips: D2, lower C, A, pectoral -
slender
uniform colorD1 small, orgin well behind pectoralD2 < A, both low, free rear tips longCarcharhinus falciformis, Silky sharkpectoral long, narrow, curved -
slender
snout moderately long, broadly roundD1 medium height, origin over rear 1/2 pectoral inner margenlow ridge between DsCarcharhinus galapagensis, Galapagos sharkpectoral curved
pelvics well behind D1 -
snout pointed, length < mouth width
color uniformD1 origin over/just behind pectoral rear tipno crest between DsCarcharhinus isodon, Finetooth sharkteeth both jaws ~symmetrical, straight, tips narrow, no/weak serrations
gill slits longpectoral small, narrow -
heavy body, thick head
snout very short, round
eye smallD1 broad, triangular, origin ~over pectoral rear insertionCarcharhinus leucas, Bull sharkpectoral large, angular -
body stout
snout long, pointed
small eyesD1: high, curved tip, origin ~ over rear pectoral insertionflank: white stripe
black tips: all fins except A & top tip C
A whiteCarcharhinus limbatus, Blacktip shark -
white tips: D1, pectoral, anal & CD1 very large, roundedCarcharhinus longimanus, Oceanic whitetip sharkpectoral very long, rounded
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slender body
snout short, round
large eyesD1 curved, origin ~over pectoral free rear tipCarcharhinus obscurus, Dusky sharkpectoral: large, curved
pelvic origin near D1 rear tip -
snout broad, round, shortD1 high, origin over/before pectoral free rear tip
D2 = Aridge between DsCarcharhinus perezii, Caribbean reef sharktop teeth serrated, narrow, notched both sidesdark: under pectorals & pelvics, A & edge lower C lobedark: C lower lobe, tips pectorals, pelvics & A -
uniform colorD1: very high, triangular, origin over pectoral rear insertionCarcharhinus plumbeus, Sandbar shark
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elongate
snout long, pointed
eyes largeD1 low, triangular, origin over rear pectoral tipD2: orgin over mid A baseCarcharhinus porosus, Atlantic smalltail sharkpectoral smallA deeply notched -
slender
snout long, narrow, pointed
eye large, greenD1 low, long rear tip, origin/behind over pectoral inner tipuniform colorCarcharhinus signatus, Night sharkpectoral small, narrow -
big flat head
snout short, blunt
large eye, spiracle behindbody: stout, dark barstail base narrow, + keelGaleocerdo cuvier, Tiger shark -
snout v long, flat, triangular
eyes v smallIsogomphodon oxyrhynchus, Daggernose sharkpectoral v large, broad -
stocky
snout short, wide, round
small eyes2 large Ds & large A
D, A, pelvic and pectoral fins - concave rear edgesyellow brownNegaprion brevirostris, Lemon shark -
elongate
snout long, narrowD1: low, nearer pelvicbluePrionace glauca, Blue sharkpectoral very long, narrow, curved -
no white spotsD1: origin over/behind pectoral rear tip
D2: origin over/behind A rear insertionRhizoprionodon lalandii, Brazilian sharpnose sharkteeth strongly oblique, rear notch, smooth
long lip furrowspectoral not reaching center D1 baselong ridges before A base -
usually no white spotsD1: origin over inner pectoral margin
D2 origin over rear 1/2 A baseRhizoprionodon porosus, Caribbean sharpnose sharkteeth strongly oblique, rear notch, smooth/finely serratedpectoral reaches center D1 baselong ridges before A base -
white spotsD1: origin over inner pectoral margin
D2 origin over rear 1/2 A baseRhizoprionodon terraenovae, Atlantic sharpnose sharkteeth strongly oblique, rear notch, smooth/finely serratedpectoral reaches under center D1long ridges before A base