Catsharks Fossil range: Upper Jurassic–Recent PreЄ Є O S D C P T J K Pg N [1]
Chain catshark, Scyliorhinus retifer
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Chondrichthyes
Subclass:	Elasmobranchii
Order:	Carcharhiniformes
Family:	Scyliorhinidae Gill, 1862
Genera
See text.

The cat sharks or catsharks are a family (Scyliorhinidae) of sharks, with over 110 species recorded. Paradoxically perhaps, while the group is called the cat shark family, many species are commonly called dogfish. Recent DNA analysis have shown this group to be more closely related to batoids than to other sharks.

The cat shark is found in temperate and tropical seas worldwide, ranging from very shallow intertidal waters to depths of 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) or more, depending on species.^[1]

Contents 1 Description 2 Aquaria 3 Genera 4 Cladogram 5 See also 6 References 7 External links

[edit] Description

Cat sharks may be distinguished by their elongated cat-like eyes and two small dorsal fins set far back. Most species are not particularly large, with lengths up to 60 – 70 cm or so, although the humpback cat shark, Apristurus gibbosus, from the deep waters of the South China Sea has been recorded at 4 m in length. Most of the species have a patterned appearance, ranging from stripes to patches to spots. They feed on invertebrates and smaller fish. Some species are ovoviviparous, but most lay eggs in tough egg-cases with curly tendrils at each end, known as mermaid's purses.

The "swell sharks" of the genus Cephaloscyllium have the curious ability to fill their stomachs with water or air when threatened, increasing their girth by a factor of 2 or 3.

[edit] Aquaria

The Australian marbled catshark, Atelomycterus macleayi, is a favored type for home aquaria, because it rarely grows to more than 60 centimetres (2.0 ft) in length.^{[citation needed]} The coral catshark, however, is the most common scyliorhinid in home aquaria.^[2]

[edit] Genera

The family includes 146 species, grouped into 16 genera,^[1] making it the largest family of sharks.^[2]

Family Scyliorhinidae

• Genus Apristurus (36 species)
• Genus Asymbolus (9 species)
• Genus Atelomycterus (5 species)
• Genus Aulohalaelurus (2 species)
• Genus Cephaloscyllium (18 species)
• Genus Cephalurus (1 species)
• Genus Figaro (2 species)
• Genus Galeus (17 species)
• Genus Halaelurus (14 species)
• Genus Haploblepharus (4 species)
• Genus Holohalaelurus (5 species)
• Genus Parmaturus (9 species)
• Genus Pentanchus (1 species)
• Genus Poroderma (2 species)
• Genus Schroederichthys (5 species)
• Genus Scyliorhinus (15 species)

[edit] Cladogram

The introduction to this section provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject. Please help improve the article with a good introductory style. (January 2009)

• Schyliorhinidae
  • Caninoa
  • Schyliorhininae
  • Galeinae
    • Pentanchini
    • Galeini
      • Galeina
      • Halelaelurina
  • Atelomycterininae
  • Schroedericthyinae

[edit] See also

• List of sharks

[edit] References

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (January 2009)

[edit] External links

• FishBase entry for Scyliorhinidae
• Animal Diversity Web entry for Scyliorhinidae
• Mikko's Phylogeny Archive - Scyliorhinidae