Orectolobidae

A Dictionary of Zoology | 1999 | 662 words | Copyright

Orectolobidae (carpet shark, nurse shark; subclass Elasmobranchii, order Lamniformes) A small family of slowmoving, bottom-living sharks in which the two dorsal fins are located far back on the body. Typically, the nostrils are connected with the mouth by a pair of oronostral grooves. The lips and sides of the head usually bear fringes or fleshy barbels. An anal fin, always smaller than the dorsal fins, is present. Perhaps the most colourful of the carpet sharks is Orectolobus ornatus (gulf wobbegong), of southern Australia, which grows to 3 m. Like its relatives, it may be dangerous only when provoked. There are about 25 species, distributed world-wide.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "Orectolobidae." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "Orectolobidae." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-Orectolobidae.html

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