Genus: Alopias, Thresher Sharks, Thresher Shark
C: top lobe very long
ALOPIAS
THRESHER SHARKS
Body stout, cylindrical; head short; snout long, conical; mouth small, ventral; five short gill slits, last two over base of pectoral fin; first dorsal large; second dorsal and anal very small; pectorals extremely long & narrow; pelvics large; upper lobe of tail extremely long (~ equal to body length); no keels on sides of tail base.
This genus has three confirmed species with worldwide distributions in tropical and subtropical seas. Two species are known to occur in our region.
