Taxonomy of Finfish (1+2)

Alopian Vulpinus

Classification:

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Chondrichthyes

Subclass : Elasmobranchii

Order Lamniformes

Family : Alopiidae

Genera : Alopias

Species : vulpinus

Key character for order Lamniformes:

• Tow dorsal fins, without spines
• anal fin present
• five gill slits, and last two above pectoral fin
• Small spiracle present behin g eyes.
• Mouth extending well beyond eyes

Key Character for family ALOPIIDAE:

ALOPIIDAE:

• Caudal fin very long and as long as the body length and curving
• Precaudal tail much shorter than trunk.
• Caudal fin strongly asymmetrical, the upper loge enormously enlarged, about half the total length and with a subterminal notch,
• The last two gill opening over the pectoral fin base.
• Pectoral fins long and narrow

Characterfor genera Alopias

• Aslike the family character.

Keycharacter for vulpinus

• Eyes very small, with orbits not expanded onto dorsal surface of head;
• teeth smaller, each jaw has more than 29;
• dorsal surface of head between eyes strongly arched;
• first dorsal fin nearer to pectoral fins than to pelvic fins;
• No grooves on the nape
• Forehead broadly arched in lateral view, snout short;
• pectoral fins falcate, with narrow, pointed apices;
• white colour from belly expanded over pectoral fin bases