species shark family group sharks characterized greatly elongated upper caudal fins occurs tropical subtropical waters indian pacific oceans usually far shore occasionally entering coastal habitats confused common professional publications distinguished dark white color bases pectoral fins smallest species typically measures long diet consists mainly small fishes stunned whip like strikes tails sharks exhibits usually gives birth litters developing embryos feeding eggs produced mother young born unusually large length mother valued commercial fisheries meat skin liver oil fins pursued sport assessed species vulnerable taxonomy phylogeny originally described japanese basis large specimens designated type specimen illustrated specimens paper species shark waters published august separately illustrated described later concluded probably common authors including red_sea wagner johnson hawaiian islands published illustrations common fact analysis conducted showed closest relative forms clade specific epithet greek meaning sea common distribution habitat confusion common distribution wider currently known ranges extensively scattered records south_africa red_sea india pakistan china southeastern japan northwestern australia population shifts northward warm years analysis mitochondrial dna shown extensive gene flow eastern western pacific populations little flow primarily inhabits open ocean occurring surface depth occasionally comes close shore regions narrow continental shelf observed near coral reef red_sea indonesia known enter large description smallest sharks averaging length weight usually exceeding males females attain known maximum lengths respectively record dubious resulted confusion species species body wide middle tapered ends slender upper caudal fin lobe nearly long rest shark pectoral fins long straight broad rounded tips dorsal fin placed halfway pectoral pelvic fins comparable size pelvic fins second dorsal anal fins tiny head narrow short conical snout distinctive profile viewed eyes large juveniles decrease relative size age furrows occur corners mouth teeth small numbering rows central row upper jaw row lower jaw rows posterior teeth present teeth smooth edged oblique lateral outside margins body covered small smooth dermal denticles flat crowns parallel ridges coloration intense dark blue white white extend pectoral fins color rapidly fades gray death dark pigment pectoral fins rounded pectoral fin tips absence furrows separate shark common biology ecology active strong swimmer known leap clear water times row documented occasion predators include larger fishes including sharks toothed known parasites species include inhabit shark spiral valve genus skin philippines observed regularly visiting cleaning stations occupied cleaner exhibit characteristic behaviors facilitate cleaning interaction visits occur frequently early morning normally oceanic sharks encountered shallow water feeding little information available feeding ecology slender tail fine suggest exclusive diet small prey analysis stomach contents reveal feed mainly inhabitants zone little competition occurs large oceanic tend feed near surface swim circles drive schooling prey compact mass striking sharply upper lobe tails behavior hooked tails life history like rest sharks gives birth pups time rarely defined breeding season adult females pregnant year gestation period uncertain suggested year common developing embryos sustained yolk sac long feed egg produced mother capsule measures long contains early stage embryos specialized teeth opening later stage embryos teeth hidden swallow teeth functional birth evidence sibling found sand tiger shark young born unusually large long length mother likely reduces predation growth rate age year ages year ages year ages year ages year ages year ages greater females reach maturity long years old males mature long seven years old oldest confirmed ages females males years respectively growth curves largest known individuals suggests females lifespan exceeding years males years single female produces young entire life examination indicates unlikely warm bodied like common lacks blood vessel exchange system prevents heat dissipated water inside trunk furthermore red muscles responsible generating heat common positioned lateral strips beneath skin core body system present brain eyes albeit developed serve organs temperature changes human interactions implicated attack humans small jaws teeth size tends flee divers shark taken commercial fisheries central pacific western indian oceans california mexico abundant northeastern taiwan comprises fish metric tons annual shark landings meat sold human consumption skin leather fins shark fin soup asia oil liver comprise weight manufacture health foods high grade machine oil rarely caught valued sport listed game fish largest overall records new_zealand light tackle records california frequently taken meant species rarely nets shark species assessed vulnerable iucn low sustain high levels exploitation
Pelagic thresher