PORT PHILLIP BAY


Porbeagle 

Lamna nasus (Bonnaterre, 1788)

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

Meristics.
Vertebrae: 150-162 (precaudal 84-91)
Jaw teeth (upper): 30-31
Jaw teeth (lower): 27-29

Additional information in:
Gomon. M.F., Bray, D.J. & Kuiter, R.H. (eds) (2008) Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Sydney : Reed New Holland 928 pp.

Order level detail.
A diverse group that includes a number of highly specialised sharks, including the Goblin Shark, the Basking Shark, the Megamouth Shark, the White Shark, nurse sharks and thresher sharks. Species are found worldwide in tropical and temperate oceanic and coastal waters. They have two dorsal fins (without spines) and an anal fin, but lack a nictitating membrane on the eye. Most are streamlined, open-water sharks that mostly swim constantly.

Family level detail.
Large, powerful streamlined sharks with stout fusiform bodies, pointed snouts and a large mouth extend with sharp medium to large teeth. They have two widely-spaced dorsal fins, the first tall, the second very small, and pronounced keels along the sides of the tail base. Pelagic sharks, found worldwide in coastal and oceanic waters.

Taxonomy

Phylum:
Chordata
Subphylum:
Craniata
Superclass:
Gnathostomata
Class:
Chondrichthyes
Subclass:
Elasmobranchii
Order:
Lamniformes
Family:
Lamnidae
Genus:
Lamna
Species:
nasus

General Description

Large stout shark with a long pointed snout; small second dorsal fin above the small anal fin; tail crescent-shaped with a short second keel below the larger keel on the tail base; teeth smooth with small lateral cusps. Greyish to bluish-grey or almost black above, paler below, with a pale rear tip on the first dorsal fin. To 3 m.

Biology

These powerful, active sharks feed on squid and other pelagic fishes. Females give birth to live young. Rare attacks on humans have been reported.

Habitat

Temperate coastal and oceanic waters, in depths of 1-370 m.

Open water

Distribution guide

Worldwide. Southern Australia.

Species Group

Sharks and rays › Sharks

Depth

Shallow (1-30 m)
Deep ( > 30 m)

Water Column

Midwater

Max Size

3 m

Diet

Carnivore

Harmful

Potentially dangerous to humans.

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Recorded in Australia

Conservation Status

  • DSE Advisory List : Not listed
  • EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
  • IUCN Red List : Vulnerable

Author

article author Bray, D.J.

Di Bray is a Senior Collection Manager of ichthyology at Museum Victoria.

Author

article author Gomon, M.F.

Dr. Martin Gomon is a Senior Curator of ichthyology at Museum Victoria.

citation

Cite this page as:
Bray, D.J. & Gomon, M.F., 2011, Porbeagle, Lamna nasus, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 25 Feb 2025, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/6570

Text: creative commons cc by licence