AY Honors/Species Account/Isurus oxyrinchus

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The Shortfin Mako Shark (Isurus oxyrinchus "sharp nose"), commonly just called Mako Shark despite not being the only species of mako, is a large shark of the Lamnidae family.

Anatomy

With a full-grown size of 2.75–3.96m (9-13 feet). It has been reported to weigh up to 794kg (1750 pounds) and has a bluish top and a white underside. Although the sexes grow at about the same rate, females are thought to have a longer life span. Females grow larger and weigh more than the males. Shortfin Makos are renowned for their speed and their ability to leap out of the water.

Naming

The name 'Mako' comes from the Maori "Blue Lightning" in reflection of its colour and speed.

The "mako" name was also applied to a 1961 Chevrolet Corvette show car, the "Mako Shark", whose streamlining, pointed snout, and other detailing was partly inspired by the look of that very fast fish. A widespread story has it that GM Design head Bill Mitchell had an actual mako shark mounted on the wall in his office, and ordered his team to paint the car to match the distinctive blue-gray upper surface gently blending into white underside of the fish. After numerous attempts to match the fish's color scheme failed, the team hit upon the idea of kidnapping the fish one night, painting it to match their best efforts on the car, and returning it to the office. Mitchell never realized the difference and pronounced himself pleased with the team's duplication on the car of nature's handiwork. [1], [2]

Distribution

The shortfin mako is found in temperate and tropical seas all around the world.

Behavior

The sharks speed has been recorded at over 22 miles (35.2 kilometers) per hour, with perhaps a burst speed of up to 60 miles (96 kilometers) per hour.

This high leaping, boat attacking fish is sought as game worldwide. Some of the largest makos in the world can be found in New England waters. The closely related Longfin Mako Shark, Isurus paucus, is found in the Gulf Streamor warmer offshore waters. Shortfin Makos were popularized in the movie Deep Blue Sea.

Reproduction

The Longfin Mako Shark is a yolk-sac Ovoviviparous shark, meaning it gives birth to live young who feed off of a sac full of yolk in the womb. The gestation period for a Mako Shark is 15-18 months. Mako embryo in the female's body literally consume each other to get nutrients. This is called intrauterine cannibalism.

Related articles

• List of shark articles in Wikipedia

External link

• Fisbase info for Shortfin Mako shark, Isurus oxyrinchus
• Marine Bio info on Shortfin mako shark, Isurus oxyrinchus
• "Lamniformes." Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia E-Book. (requires license to view)