Sphyrnidae

views updated Jun 11 2018

Sphyrnidae (hammerhead shark; subclass Elasmobranchii, order Lamniformes) A small family of marine, occasionally brackish-water sharks characterized by the sideways expansion of the head with the eyes and nostrils located almost at the tip of the lateral expansions. These peculiar sharks are found principally in tropical coastal regions and tend to be large (e.g. Sphyrna zygaena grows to 7 m). There are about nine species.

A Dictionary of Zoology MICHAEL ALLABY

hammerhead shark

views updated May 18 2018

hammerhead shark See SPHYRNIDAE.

A Dictionary of Zoology MICHAEL ALLABY

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hammerhead shark

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