Broadnose sevengill shark  (Notorynchus cepedianus)

Description

A large-bodied, powerful species, the broadnose sevengill shark can be distinguished from most other sharks by the fact that it possesses seven conspicuous gill slits on each side of the head, whereas most sharks possess only five (2) (3). The overall colouration is typical of predatory sharks, with silver-grey or brownish upperparts that blend in with the dark marine waters when seen from above, and paler underparts helping to disguise the shark against the lighter surface waters when viewed from below. Adults also have small black and white speckles on the body and fins, and the young may possess white trailing edges on the fins and a black stripe running along the caudal fin (2). The dorsal fin is relatively small and set quite far back on the body, while the caudal fin has a distinctly elongated upper lobe (2) (3). The teeth in the lower jaw are large, wide and serrated and help to tear and cut into prey, while the teeth in the upper jaw have more elongated, jagged points which help to hold onto thrashing prey (2).

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