trezor.io
Rate this file (Rating : 5 / 5 with 1 votes)
Megamouth shark, Barangay Marigondon, Cavite, Calabarzon, Philippines
trezor.io

Megamouth Shark, Barangay Marigondon, Cavite, Calabarzon, Philippines

The megamouth shark (Megachasma pelagios) is an extremely rare species of deepwater shark, and the smallest of the three planktivorous sharks, besides the whale shark and basking shark. Since its discovery in 1976, few megamouth sharks have been seen, with 60 specimens known to have been caught or sighted as of January 2015, including three recordings on film. Like the other two filter-feeders, it swims with its enormous mouth wide open, filtering water for plankton and jellyfish. It is distinctive for its large head with rubbery lips. It is so unlike any other type of shark that it is usually considered to be the sole extant species in the distinct family Megachasmidae, though suggestion has been made that it may belong in the family Cetorhinidae, of which the basking shark is currently the sole extant member. In addition to the living M. pelagios, however, two extinct megamouth species – the Cretaceous M. comanchensis and the Oligocene–Miocene M. applegatei – have also recently been proposed on the basis of fossilised tooth remains.
Description
The appearance of the megamouth is distinctive, but little else is known about it. It has a brownish-black colour on top, is white underneath, and has an asymmetrical tail with a long upper lobe, similar to that of the thresher shark. The interior of its gill slits are lined with finger-like gill rakers that capture its food. A relatively poor swimmer, the megamouth has a soft, flabby body and lacks caudal keels.

File information
Filename:665069.jpg
Album name:Fauna & Flora
Rating (1 votes):55555
Keywords:#megamouth #shark #barangay #marigondon #cavite #calabarzon #philippines
Filesize:77 KiB
Date added:Feb 02, 2015
Dimensions:700 x 525 pixels
Displayed:100 times
URL:displayimage.php?pid=665069
Favorites:Add to Favorites