Odontaspis
{{Short description|Genus of sharks}}
{{Automatic taxobox
| image = Odontaspis ferox 3.jpg
| image_caption = Smalltooth sand tiger (O. ferox)
| image2 = Odontaspis noronhai.jpg
| image2_caption = Bigeye sand tiger (O. noronhai)
| fossil_range = {{fossil range|136.4|0|Cretaceous - Present}}
| taxon = Odontaspis
| authority = Agassiz, 1838
| type_species = Carcharias ferox
| type_species_authority = Risso, 1826
}}
Odontaspis (from {{langx|el|ὀδούς}} {{transliteration|el|odoús}} 'tooth') and {{langx|el|ἀσπίς}} {{transliteration|el|aspís}} 'shield'){{cite book |last1=Roberts |first1=George |title=An etymological and explanatory dictionary of the terms and language of geology |date=1839 |publisher=Longman, Orme, Brown, Green, & Longmans |location=London |page=123 |url=https://archive.org/details/anetymologicala00robegoog |access-date=31 December 2021 |language=English}} is a genus of sand shark with two extant species.
Description
File:Odontaspis ferox-Requin Dents02-Montpellier-4819~2015 10 02.JPG
Bigeye sand tigers can reach a length of about {{convert|3.6|m}} and smalltooth sand tigers of about 4.1 m.
They are large-bodied sharks with long, conical snouts, broad-based dorsal and anal fins, and an asymmetrical caudal fin with a strong lower lobe.
Their teeth are large, with prominent narrow cusps.{{cite book |author=Compagno, L.J.V. |date=1984 |title=Sharks of the World: An Annotated and Illustrated Catalogue of Shark Species Known to Date |place=Rome |publisher=Food and Agriculture Organization |isbn=92-5-101384-5}}
They are distinguished from the similar genus Carcharias by the absence of crushing posterior teeth.Bourdon, J. [http://www.elasmo.com/frameMe.html?file=genera/cenozoic/sharks/odontaspis.html&menu=bin/menu_genera-alt.html Odontaspis Agassiz 1838]. Elasmo.com. Retrieved on December 24, 2008.
These bottom dwelling, deepwater sharks can be found in temperate and tropical waters of all the oceans.
Extant species
- Odontaspis ferox (A. Risso, 1810) (smalltooth sand tiger)
- Odontaspis noronhai (Maul, 1955) (bigeye sand tiger)
Extinct species
Extinct species within this genus include:[https://paleobiodb.org/classic/checkTaxonInfo?taxon_no=34620 Fossilworks]
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
- Odontaspis aculeatus Capetta & Case, 1975
- Odontaspis speyeri (Dartevelle & Casier, 1943)
- Odontaspis winkleri Leriche, 1905
File: Odontaspididae - Odontaspis winkleri.JPG (Morocco), 55-45 mya]]
{{div col end}}
Fossils of Odontaspis have been found all over the world. These extinct sand sharks lived from the Cretaceous to the Quaternary periods (from 136.4 to 0.012 Ma). Fossils of these fishes have been found worldwide.
See also
{{Portal|Sharks}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Lamniformes}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q574070}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Extant Cretaceous first appearances