Sharks of the World

by Leonard Compagno, Marc Dando, Sarah Fowler

Overview

Everyone's heard of the Great Whites. But most people know little of the hundreds of other types of sharks that inhabit the world's oceans. Written by two of the world's leading authorities and superbly illustrated by wildlife artist Marc Dando, this is the first comprehensive field guide to all 440-plus shark species. Color plates illustrate all species, and detailed accounts include diagnostic line drawings and a distribution map for each species. Introductory chapters treat physiology, behavior, reproduction, ecology, diet, and sharks' interrelationships with humans.

• More than 125 original full-color illustrations for fast and accurate identification of each shark family
• Over 500 additional drawings illustrating physical features from different angles
• Clear identification information for each species with details of size, habitat, behavior, and biology
• Quick ID guide helpful for differentiating similar species
• Geographic distribution maps for each species
• For professional and amateur shark enthusiasts

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780691120720
Publisher:	Princeton University Press
Publication date:	02/13/2005
Series:	Princeton Field Guides , #34
Pages:	496
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 7.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Leonard Compagno is an international authority on shark taxonomy and the author of many scientific papers and books on the subject. He currently works in the South African Museum's Shark Research Centre. Marc Dando is a freelance artist specializing in marine ecology and wildlife. Sarah Fowler works in marine ecology, biodiversity, and conservation and management, with a particular focus on sharks. She cofounded the UK Shark Trust and the European Elasmobranch Association. She also serves on the Conservation Committee of the American Elasmobranch Society (based at the University of Florida).

Table of Contents

	Foreword	vi
	Acknowledgements	vii
	Introduction	9
	How to use this book	10
	Topography	12
	What is a shark?	15
	The evolution of fishes	17
	Biology	19
	Body structure	20
	Skeleton	22
	Skin and scales	24
	Teeth and jaws	25
	Movement and respiration	27
	Warm blooded sharks	29
	Osmoregulation	29
	Senses	30
	Feeding and digestion	34
	Life history	38
	Behaviour	42
	Sharks and people	43
	Truth, legend and fiction	44
	Fisheries	45
	Utilisation	46
	Research	48
	Conservation and management	49
	Shark encounters	52
	Key to orders and families of living sharks	54
	Colour plates	63
	Abbreviations used in plate text	63
	Species accounts
	Order Hexanchiformes	65
	Family Chlamydoselachidae	65
	Family Hexanchidae	66
	Order Squaliformes	70
	Family Echinorhinidae	70
	Family Squalidae	71
	Family Centrophoridae	81
	Family Etmopteridae	90
	Family Somniosidae	111
	Family Oxynotidae	122
	Family Dalatiidae	125
	Order Pristiophoriformes	131
	Family Pristiophoridae	131
	Order Squatiniformes	137
	Family Squatinidae	137
	Order Heterodontiformes	150
	Family Heterodontidae	150
	Order Orectolobiformes	156
	Family Parascylliidae	156
	Family Brachaeluridae	159
	Family Orectolobidae	161
	Family Hemiscylliidae	165
	Family Ginglystomatidae	171
	Family Stegostomatidae	173
	Family Rhincodontidae	174
	Order Lamniformes	175
	Family Odontaspididae	175
	Family Pseudocarchariidae	177
	Family Mitsukurinidae	178
	Family Megachasmidae	178
	Family Alopiidae	179
	Family Cetorhinidae	181
	Family Lamnidae	181
	Order Carcharhiniformes	186
	Family Scyliorhinidae	186
	Family Proscylliidae	254
	Family Pseudotriakidae	257
	Family Leptochariidae	260
	Family Triakidae	261
	Family Hemigaleidae	283
	Family Carcharhinidae	288
	Family Sphyrnidae	322
	Glossary	327
	Field observations	339
	Suggested further reading	342
	Scientific societies and conservation organisations	343
	Museums and other research organisations	344
	Bibliography	345
	Index of scientific names	347
	Index of English names	352
	Checklist	357

What People are Saying About This

Marcelo R. Dde Carvalho

This exceptionally well-produced book, written by the leading authorities on shark systematics and conservation, is the only stand-alone field guide that covers all known shark species of the world. It is therefore an invaluable reference for shark scientists and enthusiasts alike. Nowhere are the identification, distribution, and conservation status of sharks more clearly presented.
— Professor Dr. Marcelo R. de Carvalho, researcher of shark and ray evolution, Universidad de Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil

From the Publisher

"This exceptionally well-produced book, written by the leading authorities on shark systematics and conservation, is the only stand-alone field guide that covers all known shark species of the world. It is therefore an invaluable reference for shark scientists and enthusiasts alike. Nowhere are the identification, distribution, and conservation status of sharks more clearly presented."—Professor Dr. Marcelo R. de Carvalho, researcher of shark and ray evolution, Universidad de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil

"The first field guide to cover all species of sharks, Sharks of the World is a welcome addition to the field bags of both professional and amateur naturalists. Filling a role heretofore satisfied only by owning a series of regional field guides, this volume offers one stop shopping for worldwide shark aficionados. Sharks of the World is a must-buy for anyone interested in identifying sharks."—George H. Burgess, Florida Program for Shark Research, Florida Museum of Natural History

Burgess

The first field guide to cover all species of sharks, Sharks of the World is a welcome addition to the field bags of both professional and amateur naturalists. Filling a role heretofore satisfied only by owning a series of regional field guides, this volume offers one stop shopping for worldwide shark aficionados. Sharks of the World is a must-buy for anyone interested in identifying sharks.
— George H. Burgess, Florida Program for Shark Research, Florida Museum of Natural History

Editorial Reviews

One of Choice's Outstanding Academic Titles for 2005

From the Publisher

The amazing diversity of these magnificent yet maligned animals is wonderfully represented here.

Discovery - Christine Adkins

The reader learns about shark biology (body structure, teeth and jaws, senses, life history, etc) and the interactions between sharks and people, both good and bad. This is a very nice, handy-sized guide for those interested in sharks and their conservation.

Wildlife Activist - Robert E. Hoopes

This is a reference anyone in any age group or level of knowledge could use easily. You don't need to be a shark fan for Sharks of the World to be a useful addition to your library: this is one book I'd recommend to any diver or naturalist any day.

Diver Magazine - Virginia Cowell

The amazing diversity of these magnificent yet maligned animals is wonderfully represented here.
— Christine Adkins

Discovery

The reader learns about shark biology (body structure, teeth and jaws, senses, life history, etc) and the interactions between sharks and people, both good and bad. This is a very nice, handy-sized guide for those interested in sharks and their conservation.
— Robert E. Hoopes

Wildlife Activist

This is a reference anyone in any age group or level of knowledge could use easily. You don't need to be a shark fan for Sharks of the World to be a useful addition to your library: this is one book I'd recommend to any diver or naturalist any day.
— Virginia Cowell

Diver Magazine