Tibur C3 B3n

Selachimorpha subdivision_ranks = Orders (Orders (biology)) subdivision =Carcharhiniformes Heterodontiformes Hexanchiformes Lamniformes Orectolobiformes Pristiophoriformes Squaliformes Squatiniformes ? Symmoriida ? Cladoselachiformes ? Xenacanthida (Xenacantiformes) ? Eugeneodontida ? Hybodontiformes

Sharks (superorder Selachimorpha) are a type of fish with a full cartilaginous (Cartilage) skeleton and a highly streamlined (Streamlines, streaklines and pathlines) body. The earliest known sharks date from more than 420 million years ago, before the time of the dinosaurs.

Since that time, sharks have diversified into 440 species (List of sharks), ranging in size from the small dwarf lanternshark, Etmopterus perryi, a deep sea species of only convert17cmin1 in length, to the whale shark, Rhincodon typus, the largest fish, which reaches approximately convert12mftin0 and which feeds only on plankton, squid, and small fish by filter feeding. Sharks are found in all seas and are common down to depths of convert2000mft0. They generally do not live in freshwater, with a few exceptions such as the bull shark and the river shark which can live both in seawater and freshwater. They breathe through five to seven gill slits. Sharks have a covering of dermal denticles that protect their skin from damage and also have parasites that improve their fluid dynamics so the shark can move faster. They have several sets of replaceable teeth.

Well-known species such as the great white shark, tiger shark, and the hammerhead (hammerhead shark) are apex predators, at the top of the underwater food chain. Their extraordinary skills as predators fascinate and frighten humans, even as their survival is under serious threat from fishing and other human activities.