FAO Species Identification Guide for Fishery Purposes Western

1270 Sharks
Key to the species of Alopiidae occurring in the area
1a. Head nearly flat between eyes; a deep horizontal groove on nape of each side above
gills; eyes very large, with orbits expanded onto dorsal surface of head; teeth larger,
less than 25 rows in each jaw; first dorsal-fin base closer to pelvic-fin bases than
pectoral-fin bases (Fig. 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alopias superciliosus
1b. Head strongly arched between eyes; no horizontal groove or an inconspicuous one on nape
of each side; eyes smaller, with orbits not expanded onto dorsal surface of head; teeth
smaller, 29 or (usually) more rows in each jaw; first dorsal-fin base about equidistant
between pectoral and pelvic-fin bases or closer to pectoral-fin bases (Figs 2 and 3) . . . . . . . . → 2
eyes directed upward
groove
a) dorsal view of head
grooves
Fig. 1 Alopias superciliosus
2a. Sides above pectoral-fin bases dark, without an extension of the white abdominal area;
head narrow, snout more elongated, forehead nearly straight; labial furrows absent;
pectoral fins nearly straight and broad-tipped; distance between pelvic and caudal-fin
bases shorter than prebranchial length; terminal lobe of caudal fin shorter, its length
from subterminal notch to caudal tip about equal to second dorsal-fin base (Fig. 2)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Alopias pelagicus
2b. Sides above pectoral-fin bases marked with a white patch extending forward from the
abdominal area; head broad, snout shorter, forehead strongly arched; labial furrows
present; pectoral fins falcate and narrow-tipped; distance between pelvic and caudal-fin
bases greater than prebranchial length; terminal lobe of caudal fin longer, its length from
subterminal notch to caudal tip over twice second dorsal-fin base (Fig. 3) . . . . . Alopias vulpinus
white here
falcate and
narrow-tipped
Fig. 2 Alopias vulpinus
List of species occurring in the area
The symbol is given when species accounts are included.
Alopias pelagicus Nakamura, 1935
Alopias superciliosus (Lowe, 1839)
Alopias vulpinus (Bonnaterre, 1788)
dark here
straight and
broad tipped
b) lateral view
Fig. 3 Alopias pelagicus
References
Compagno, L.J.V. 1984. FAO Species catalogue. Vol. 4. Sharks of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of
shark species known to date. Part 1. Hexanchiformes to Lamniformes. FAO Fish Synop., (125)Vol.4, Pt.1:249 p.
Last, P.R. and J.D. Stevens. 1993. Sharks and rays of Australia. Australia, CSIRO, 513 p.