Blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus)

General data

Main name: Blacktip reef shark
Climates: Tropical, Subtropical
Habitat: Saltwater
Native: Africa, Asia, Australia & Oceania
Introduced: Europe
Distribution: Mediterranean Sea, Pacific Ocean, Indian ocean

Classification

Genus: Carcharhinus - Reef shark
Family: Carcharhinidae - Requiem sharks
Order: Carcharhiniformes - Ground sharks
Class: Elasmobranchii - Sharks and Rays
Superclass: Chondrichthyes - Cartilaginous fishes

Description

The blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) is a species of requiem shark, in the family Carcharhinidae, which can be easily identified by the prominent black tips on its fins (especially on the first dorsal fin and its caudal fin). Among the most abundant sharks inhabiting the tropical coral reefs of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, this species prefers shallow, inshore waters. Its exposed first dorsal fin is a common sight in the region. The blacktip reef shark is usually found over reef ledges and sandy flats, though it has also been known to enter brackish and freshwater environments. It typically attains a length of 1.6 m (5.2 ft). The blacktip reef shark has extremely small home ranges and exhibits strong site fidelity, remaining within the same local area for up to several years at a time. It is an active predator of small bony fishes, cephalopods, and crustaceans, and has also been known to feed on sea snakes and seabirds. Accounts of the blacktip reef shark\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s life history have been variable and sometimes contradictory, in part reflecting geographical differences within the species. Like other members of its family, this shark is viviparous, with females giving birth to two to five young on a biennial, annual, or possibly biannual cycle. Reports of the gestation period range from 7–9, through 10–11, to possibly 16 months. Mating is preceded by the male following closely behind the female, likely attracted by her chemical signals. Newborn sharks are found further inshore and in shallower water than adults, frequently roaming in large groups over areas flooded by high tide. Timid and skittish, the blacktip reef shark is difficult to approach and seldom poses a danger to humans unless roused by food. However, people wading through shallow water are at risk of having their legs mistakenly bitten. This shark is used for its meat, fins, and liver oil, but is not considered to be a commercially significant species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed the blacktip reef shark as Vulnerable. Although the species as a whole remains widespread and relatively common, overfishing of this slow-reproducing shark has led to its decline at a number of locales.

Taxonomy of Fishes

Osteichthyes - Bony fishes->
Chondrichthyes - Cartilaginous fishes->
- Elasmobranchii - Sharks and Rays->
  - Lamniformes - Mackerel sharks->
  - Carcharhiniformes - Ground sharks->
    
    Carcharhinidae - Requiem sharks->
    
    Prionace - Blue sharks->
    
    Carcharhinus - Reef shark->
    
    Sandbar shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus)
    
    Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas)
    
    Blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus)
    
    Grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos)
    
    Galapagos shark (Carcharhinus galapagensis)
    
    Silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis)
    
    Silvertip shark (Carcharhinus albimarginatus)
    
    Blacknose shark (Carcharhinus acronotus)
    
    Bignose shark (Carcharhinus altimus)
    
    Graceful shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchoides)
    
    Pigeye shark (Carcharhinus amboinensis)
    
    Borneo shark (Carcharhinus borneensis)
    
    Copper shark (Carcharhinus brachyurus)
    
    Spinner shark (Carcharhinus brevipinna)
    
    Nervous shark (Carcharhinus cautus)
    
    Pacific smalltail shark (Carcharhinus cerdale)
    
    Carcharhinus coatesi (Carcharhinus coatesi)
    
    Whitecheek shark (Carcharhinus dussumieri)
    
    Creek whaler (Carcharhinus fitzroyensis)
    
    Pondicherry shark (Carcharhinus hemiodon)
    
    Human’s whaler shark (Carcharhinus humani)
    
    Finetooth shark (Carcharhinus isodon)
    
    Smooth tooth blacktip shark (Carcharhinus leiodon)
    
    Blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus)
    
    Oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus longimanus)
    
    Hardnose shark (Carcharhinus macloti)
    
    Carcharhinus macrops (Carcharhinus macrops)
    
    Dusky shark (Carcharhinus obscurus)
    
    Lost shark (Carcharhinus obsoletus)
    
    Caribbean reef shark (Carcharhinus perezii)
    
    Smalltail shark (Carcharhinus porosus)
    
    Blackspot shark (Carcharhinus sealei)
    
    Night shark (Carcharhinus signatus)
    
    Spot-tail shark (Carcharhinus sorrah)
    
    Australian blacktip shark (Carcharhinus tilstoni)
    
    Carcharhinus tjutjot (Carcharhinus tjutjot)
    
    Negaprion - Negaprion->
    
    Triaenodon - Triaenodon->
    
    Rhizoprionodon - Sharpnose sharks->
    
    Glyphis - Glyphis->
    
    Isogomphodon - Isogomphodon->
    
    Lamiopsis - Lamiopsis->
    
    Loxodon - Loxodon->
    
    Nasolamia - Nasolamia->
    
    Scoliodon - Scoliodon->
    
    Scyliorhinidae - Cat sharks->
    
    Pentanchidae - Deepwater catsharks->
    
    Triakidae - Houndsharks->
    
    Sphyrnidae - Hammerheads->
    
    Atelomycteridae - Coloured catsharks->
    
    Galeocerdonidae - Tiger sharks->
    
    Hemigaleidae - Weasel sharks->
    
    Leptochariidae - Barbeled houndsharks->
    
    Proscylliidae - Finback catsharks->
    
    Pseudotriakidae - False catsharks->
  - Rhinopristiformes - Shovelnose rays->
  - Torpediniformes - Electric rays->
  - Rajiformes - Skates and rays->
  - Orectolobiformes - Carpet shark->
  - Squatiniformes - Angelsharks->
  - Heterodontiformes - Bullhead and horn sharks->
  - Hexanchiformes - Six-gill sharks->
  - Myliobatiformes - Stingrays->
  - Squaliformes - Sleeper and dogfish sharks->
  - Echinorhiniformes - Bramble sharks->
  - Pristiophoriformes - Saw sharks->
- Holocephali - Chimaeras->
Agnatha - Jawless fishes->