Family: MEGACHASMIDAE, Megamouth shark

MEGACHASMIDAE

MEGAMOUTH SHARK

Body cylindrical, somewhat compressed, robust; head very long; snout very short, flattened, broad, rounded; eyes moderately large; mouth very large, opens at front of head, extends behind eyes; gill openings 5, moderately long, last 2 over pectoral base; gill rakers = finger-like papillae; teeth very small, broad bases, taper to rear facing point, smooth edges, > 85-100 rows on each jaw; 1st dorsal fin moderately large, angular; 2nd dorsal < 1/2 size of 1st dorsal; pectorals large, long and narrow; pelvics moderate sized; anal fin smaller than 2nd dorsal; tail fin with long upper lobe, lower lobe short, strong; tail base compressed, without keels

A family with one genus and species