Sixgill shark

Hexanchus Temporal range: 196–0 Ma PreЄ Є Є O O S S D D C C P P T T J J K K Pg Pg N N Sinemurian to Present
File:Hexanchus griseus (Bluntnose sixgill shark).gif
Bluntnose sixgill shark (Hexanchus griseus) Drawing by Dr Tony Ayling
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Chondrichthyes
Subclass:	Elasmobranchii
Superorder:	Selachimorpha
Order:	Hexanchiformes
Family:	Hexanchidae
Genus:	Hexanchus Rafinesque, 1810
Species
See text.

The sixgill sharks, Hexanchus, are a genus of deepwater sharks in the family Hexanchidae. These sharks are characterized by broad pointed heads, six pairs of gill slits, comb-like, yellow lower teeth, and a long tail. It can grow up to 5 m (18 ft) long and weigh over 600 kg (1320 lb). They are abyssal plain scavengers with a keen sense of smell and are among the first to arrive at carrion, together with hagfish and rattails. They show a characteristic rolling motion of the head when feeding. They have been found at depths of up to 2,500 feet (760 m).^{[citation needed]}

Extant Species

• Bluntnose Sixgill Shark Hexanchus griseus Bonnaterre, 1788
• Bigeyed Sixgill Shark, Hexanchus nakamurai Teng, 1962

See also

• Shark teeth
• List of prehistoric cartilaginous fish genera

References

• "Hexanchus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 6 June 2006. 

External links

• Large specimen filmed at 1,000 m depth

File:Carcharhinus brachy.JPG

This article is part of Project Cartilaginous Fish Genera, a All Birds project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each monotypic genera, including made-up species.

This article is part of Project Cartilaginous Fish Families, a All Birds project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each cartilaginous fish family, including made-up species.

File:Tiger shark.jpg

This article is part of Project Cartilaginous Fish Taxonomy, a All Birds project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each cartilaginous fish taxon, including made-up taxons.

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