Difference between revisions of "AY Honors/Species Account/Isurus oxyrinchus"
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{{Taxobox | {{Taxobox | ||
| color = pink | | color = pink | ||
| − | | name = | + | | name = Shortfin mako shark |
| − | | status = | + | | status = LR/nt |
| + | | trend = unknown | ||
| image = Isurus oxyrinchus.jpg | | image = Isurus oxyrinchus.jpg | ||
| image_caption = Mako shark, ''Isurus oxyrinchus''<br> | | image_caption = Mako shark, ''Isurus oxyrinchus''<br> | ||
| Line 18: | Line 19: | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | The ''' | + | The '''shortfin mako shark''' (''Isurus oxyrinchus'' "sharp nose") is commonly called just '''mako shark''', despite there being more than one species of mako. The shortfin mako is a large [[shark]] of the [[Lamnidae]] family. |
==Anatomy== | ==Anatomy== | ||
| − | With a full-grown | + | With a full-grown length of 9 - 13 ft (2.75 - 4 m) it has been reported to weigh up to 1,750 pounds (800 kg) and has a bluish back and white underside. Although the sexes grow at about the same rate, females are thought to have a longer [[life span]], and grow larger and weigh more than the males. Shortfin makos are renowned for their speed and their ability to leap out of the water. Mako sharks can swim so fast because their [[scale (zoology)|scale]]s are designed to capture water which forms a shield over the shark's body - the water-on-water friction is less than water-on-scale. This fact is now being applied to swim suits and now even airplanes to reduce flight time and fuel cost. |
==Naming== | ==Naming== | ||
| − | The name | + | The name 'mako' comes from the [[Māori language]] for ''blue lightning'', reflecting its colour and speed. |
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
| − | The shortfin mako is found in [[temperate]] and [[tropical]] seas | + | The shortfin mako is found in [[temperate]] and [[tropical]] seas worldwide. |
==Behavior== | ==Behavior== | ||
| − | The | + | The shortfin mako's speed has been recorded at over 22 miles (35 kilometres) per hour. Makos can jump up to 20 feet in the air. |
| − | This high leaping fish is sought as [[Game (food)|game]] worldwide. Some of the largest makos in the world can be found in [[New England]] waters. The closely related [[ | + | This high leaping fish is sought as [[Game (food)|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 Stream]] or warmer offshore waters. Shortfin makos were popularized in the movie ''[[Deep Blue Sea]]''. |
==Reproduction== | ==Reproduction== | ||
| − | The | + | The shortfin mako shark is a yolk-sac [[ovoviviparous]] shark, meaning it gives birth to live young who feed from a sac full of yolk in the womb. The gestation period for a mako shark is 15 - 18 months. Mako embryos in the female's body actually consume each other to get nutrients. This is called intrauterine cannibalism. |
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
| + | * {{IUCN2006|assessors=Stevens|year=2000|id=39341|title=Isurus oxyrinchus|downloaded=06 May 2006}} Database entry includes justification for why this species is near threatened | ||
* {{ITIS|ID=159924|taxon=Isurus oxyrinchus|year=2006|date=23 January}} | * {{ITIS|ID=159924|taxon=Isurus oxyrinchus|year=2006|date=23 January}} | ||
| Line 51: | Line 53: | ||
[[category:Sharks]] | [[category:Sharks]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Man-eating sharks]] | ||
[[de:Kurzflossen-Mako]] | [[de:Kurzflossen-Mako]] | ||
Revision as of 19:23, 23 June 2006
The shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus "sharp nose") is commonly called just mako shark, despite there being more than one species of mako. The shortfin mako is a large shark of the Lamnidae family.
Anatomy
With a full-grown length of 9 - 13 ft (2.75 - 4 m) it has been reported to weigh up to 1,750 pounds (800 kg) and has a bluish back and white underside. Although the sexes grow at about the same rate, females are thought to have a longer life span, and grow larger and weigh more than the males. Shortfin makos are renowned for their speed and their ability to leap out of the water. Mako sharks can swim so fast because their scales are designed to capture water which forms a shield over the shark's body - the water-on-water friction is less than water-on-scale. This fact is now being applied to swim suits and now even airplanes to reduce flight time and fuel cost.
Naming
The name 'mako' comes from the Māori language for blue lightning, reflecting its colour and speed.
Distribution
The shortfin mako is found in temperate and tropical seas worldwide.
Behavior
The shortfin mako's speed has been recorded at over 22 miles (35 kilometres) per hour. Makos can jump up to 20 feet in the air.
This high leaping 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 Stream or warmer offshore waters. Shortfin makos were popularized in the movie Deep Blue Sea.
Reproduction
The shortfin mako shark is a yolk-sac ovoviviparous shark, meaning it gives birth to live young who feed from a sac full of yolk in the womb. The gestation period for a mako shark is 15 - 18 months. Mako embryos in the female's body actually consume each other to get nutrients. This is called intrauterine cannibalism.
See also
References
- Template:IUCN2006 Database entry includes justification for why this species is near threatened
- Template:ITIS
External links
- Fisbase info for Shortfin Mako shark, Isurus oxyrinchus
- Template:Marinebio
- "Lamniformes." Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia E-Book. (requires license to view)
de:Kurzflossen-Mako es:Isurus oxyrinchus ja:アオザメ nl:Mako Shark zh:鼠鲨科
