Unveiling Diversity in Shark Fin Characteristics: A Comparative Study Across Order Carcharhiniforms | ||||
| Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries | ||||
| Article 15, Volume 28, Issue 2, March and April 2024, Page 235-246 PDF (1.02 MB) | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejabf.2024.346855 | ||||
 View on SCiNiTO | ||||
| Author | ||||
| Mohamed A. M. El-Tabakh et al. | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| An extensive morphometric examination of dorsal fin features for sharks belonging to the order Carcharhiniforms (families Scyliorhinidae, Triakidae, and Carcharhinidae was conducted. We compared the dorsal fin morphometric and diagnostic features of Galeus melastomus, Scyliorhinus stellaris, Galeorhinus galeus, Mustelus asterias, Mustelus mustelus, Carcharhinus altimus, C. brachyurus, C. brevipinna, C. falciformis, C. obscurus, C. plumbeus, and Prionace glauca using a mix of direct measurements and ratio-based comparisons. Fin base, height, and other ratio-based metrics provided light on the unique traits of each species, which displayed distinctive fin morphologies, particularly striking for Scyliorhinidae species with distinctive patterns and colors on their relatively big, rectangular dorsal fins. Alternatively, members of the family Triakidae have bigger, triangular fins, with varied tone and clear morphometric ratios. Lastly, the members of the family Carcharhinidae showed a wide range of fin forms and sizes, with different species displaying fin features dependent on ratios. Dorsal fin morphometric cluster analysis uncovered species-specific grouping patterns, emphasized morphological similarities and differences across families, and it was most effective within the family Scyliorhinidae. In addition, ordination methods highlighted the relationship between species and dorsal fin morphometrics by graphically representing the grouping and separation of shark species in three-dimensional areas. The significance of thorough morphometric studies in comprehending the variety and evolutionary connections within the order Carcharhiniforms was highlighted by this research, which offered a thorough foundation for the identification and classification of shark species. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Shark; Dorsal fin characteristics; Carcharhiniform taxonomy; Species identification; Comparative analysis | ||||
|
Statistics Article View: 106 PDF Download: 167 |
||||
