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Features of the valid nominal species of Aprionodon Gill (isodon Valenciennes) and Hypoprion Muller and Henle (hemiodon Valenciennes, macloti Muller and Henle, and signatus Poey), plus those of a previously unrecognizedspecies here described as Carcharhinus leiodon n.sp., are examined and compared with those of CarcharhinusBlainville. Features studied include morphometrics, vertebral numbers and other vertebral characteristics, toothnumbers, color pattern, and some other aspects of external morphology. It is concluded that on these featuresC. leiodon n.sp. is entirely encompassed within the parameters of Carcharhinus, and that, although A. isodon,H. hemiodon, H. macloti, and H. signatus each extend the range of diversity of Carcharhinus in one or more features,A. isodon is not uniquely different from Carcharhinus, and there is no common pattern of difference between the three species of Hypoprion and Carcharhinus. Accordingly, and because the nature of the teeth of Aprionodon and Hypoprion has been found insufficient to warrant generic distinction from Carcharhinus, the genera Aprionodon and Hypoprion are synonymised with Carcharhinus.A diagnosis and description are given for each of the above species. The descriptions include measurements, counts, and line illustrations that show the whole shark in lateral view, underside of head, nostril, and teeth. The geographic distribution is summarized, as are also the meager biological data available on number of embryos, size at birth, size at sexual maturity, and maximum size. (PDF file contains 32 pages.) |
