Megamouth Shark [Megachasma pelagios]
Description
The Megamouth Shark is a species of deepwater shark. It is rarely seen by humans and is the smallest of the three extant filter-feeding sharks alongside the whale shark and basking shark. Since its discovery in 1976, few megamouth sharks have been seen, with less than 100 specimens being observed or caught. Megamouths have a stout body and a long, wide bulbous head. Megamouth sharks are harmless to humans, and their diet consists mainly of planktonic organisms.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Chordates
Chordata
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Cartilaginous Fish
Chondrichthyes
|
| Order |
Mackerel Sharks
Lamniformes
|
| Family |
Megamouth Sharks
Megachasmidae
|
| Genus |
Megamouth Shark
Megachasma
|