Cetorhinidae
by J.-C. Quero
Very large sharks (reaching nearly 10 m). Teeth minute and very numerous; 5 gill openings, extending on to upper surface of head, with long rakers on the gill arches. Two dorsal fins; anal fin present; caudal fin lunate and nearly symmetrical, with a long lower lobe. A strong keel on each side of caudal peduncle; pre-caudal pits present.
Pelagic in boreal, temperate and warm temperate waters. Feeding on plankton. Viviparous.
Genus 1.
Recent revisions: Compagno (1978,1981 and in press), Cadenat and Blache (1981).