What is Carcharhiniformes?
{{Taxobox | image = Carcharhinus_melanopterus2.jpg | image_caption = The [[Blacktip reef shark]], ''Carcharhinus melanopterus'', is one of the many types of Ground Sharks. | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Chordata]] | classis = [[Chondrichthyes]] | subclassis = [[Elasmobranchii]] | superordo = [[Selachimorpha]] | ordo = '''Carcharhiniformes''' }} '''Carcharhiniformes''' is the largest [[Order (biology)|order]] of [[shark]]s. Also known as '''Ground sharks''' or '''Whaler sharks''', this group contains over 270 [[species]] of [[shark]]. It includes some common ones like the [[Blue shark]], [[Bull shark]], [[Tiger shark]] and the [[hammerhead shark]]s. Ground sharks have a special [[membrane]] which protects their eyes when needed. They have two [[dorsal fin]]s, an [[anal fin]], and five [[gill]] slits. Ground sharks are found in open [[ocean]]s, [[sea]]s, [[estuary|estuaries]], and [[brackish water|brackish]] waters. == Families== [[ Image:Tigershark.JPG|thumb|right|250px|A [[Tiger shark]] ]] [[ Image:Prionace_glauca_1.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A [[Blue shark]] ]] [[ Image:Bullshark.JPG|thumb|right|250px|A [[Bull shark]] ]] [[ Image:Sphyrna_mokarran_at_georgia.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A [[Great hammerhead shark]] ]] There are eight [[Family (biology)|families]] in this order: * [[Carcharhinidae]] (Requiem sharks) * [[Hemigaleidae]] (Weasel sharks) * [[Leptochariidae]] (Barbeled houndsharks) * [[Proscylliidae]] (Finback cat sharks) * [[Pseudotriakidae]] (False cat sharks) * [[Scyliorhinidae]] (Cat sharks) * [[Hammerhead shark|Sphyrnidae]] (Hammerhead sharks) * [[Triakidae]] (Hound sharks) == References== * {{Cite web|title=BBC Nature - Ground sharks videos,news and facts|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Carcharhiniformes|work=bbc.co.uk|access-date=22 June 2013|archive-date=27 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130627150922/http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Carcharhiniformes|url-status=dead}} {{Taxonbar|from=Q48178}} [[Category:Sharks]]