shark shark species shark family reaching length small brown gray shark slender body tall shaped dorsal fin comes exceptionally large hammer wide half shark total length function structure unclear relate shark senses wide eyes grants superb vision extremely long nostrils leading margin allow better detection tracking odor trails water provides large surface area lateral line potential benefits respectively inhabiting shallow coastal waters western shark feeds small bony fishes crustaceans cephalopods gives birth live young developing embryos receiving connection females produce annual litters pups depending region occur february june gestation period months harmless species widely meat fins liver oil assessed endangered thought declined parts range exploitation taxonomy german naturalist described shark referred synonym smooth french zoologist brief account animal son organisation pour base des introduction observed specimen labeled smooth different species propose proper colleague interpreted described specimen species detail calling placed shark genus derived greek good hammer subsequent authors accept preferred species genus resurrected came wider usage additional taxonomic research published sources refer species common names shark include arrow headed shark slender phylogeny traditional view shark evolution species smaller evolved requiem shark ancestor later gave rise species larger interpretation shark derived extreme morphology molecular phylogenetic research based mitochondrial dna nuclear dna found opposite pattern shark basal member family result supports idea shark evolve large supports separation keeping including descendants single ancestor shark lineage estimated diverged rest million years ago description true shark consists pair long narrow gently swept blades width equal shark total length slight middle gentle bump nostrils roughly twice long width mouth extends entire leading margin blade circular eyes located forward outer corners equipped protective membranes relatively small arched mouth contains upper lower tooth rows single row tiny teeth upper lower jaw teeth small smooth edged angled triangular pairs gill slits fifth pair pectoral fin origins body slim streamlined tall narrow shaped dorsal fin originates bases small pectoral fins second dorsal fin smaller originates aft anal fin base anal fin half long second dorsal fin groove caudal dorsal origin caudal fin upper caudal fin lobe longer lower lobe bears notch trailing margin near tip skin covered overlapping dermal denticles horizontal ridges leading marginal teeth species brownish gray gray white lacks fin markings grows long distribution habitat shark found tropical western eastward south southeast_asia new_guinea northern queensland range extends far north taiwan far south islands western_australia species inhabits shallow waters close shore known enter biology ecology non exclusive proposed explain extreme size shark placement eyes ends provides field view times requiem shark species excellent depth perception aid hunting species longest nostrils longer nostrils contain sample water time increasing chances detecting odor shark long theoretically capable sampling water second potential benefit increased separation left right nostrils shark ability resolve direction scent trail finally increase shark ability detect electric fields movements prey providing larger surface area lateral line lateral blades large function maneuvering suggested shark usually hunts close sea floor diet consists mainly small bony fishes followed crustaceans cephalopods known parasites species include life history shark viviparous like rest family developing young sustained term connection mother adult females single functional right functional compartments form inside pregnancy embryo waters mumbai mating season july august monsoon males bite sides females prelude females reproduce year litter size ranges pups increases size female gestation period lasts months western india months northern australia pregnant females reported quarrel initially embryo yolk develops similar fashion sharks length fins begin form embryo long yolk supply begins run low appear yolk sac wall later form stage embryo features adult albeit rudimentary blades folded body long external gill protruding gill slits length formed teeth dermal denticles skin appear embryo external gills reduced size time embryo long resembles miniature version adult takes place june mumbai march april february march northern australia pups emerge tail remain folded birth facilitate passage measure length sexual maturity reached long males long females maximum lifespan years human interactions harmless humans shark caught range stake nets hook line meat sold fresh fins exported asia shark fin soup liver source oil processed species taken large numbers areas india indonesia evidence population suffered result listed shark endangered species caught australian waters assessed concern iucn
Winghead shark