How to Identify and Classify Sharks
  • 1. What is the primary characteristic used to initially identify a shark as a shark?
A) Operculum (gill cover)
B) Scales similar to bony fish
C) Cartilaginous skeleton
D) Bony skeleton
  • 2. Which fin is NOT found in all shark species?
A) Anal fin
B) Caudal fin
C) Dorsal fin
D) Pectoral fin
  • 3. What is the function of spiracles in some shark species?
A) To expel waste
B) To sense vibrations
C) To detect electrical fields
D) To draw water into the gills
  • 4. What type of scales do sharks possess?
A) Cycloid scales
B) Ganoid scales
C) Ctenoid scales
D) Dermal denticles
  • 5. The shape of which fin is most important for determining a shark's locomotion style?
A) Pelvic fin
B) Dorsal fin
C) Pectoral fin
D) Caudal fin
  • 6. Which of the following is a characteristic of a hammerhead shark?
A) Spines on dorsal fin
B) Barbels
C) Cephalofoil
D) Luminous organs
  • 7. What is the name for the sensory pores used for electroreception?
A) Nictitating membrane
B) Lateral line
C) Ampullae of Lorenzini
D) Spiracle
  • 8. What is the function of a nictitating membrane?
A) Depth perception
B) Protection of the eye
C) Sound detection
D) Olfactory reception
  • 9. What is the most common type of reproduction in sharks?
A) Ovoviviparity
B) Oviparity
C) Viviparity
D) Parthenogenesis
  • 10. Which family contains the goblin shark?
A) Carcharhinidae
B) Squalidae
C) Lamnidae
D) Mitsukurinidae
  • 11. What is the defining characteristic of sawsharks (Pristiophoridae)?
A) Bioluminescence
B) Elongated snout with lateral teeth
C) Extremely large size
D) Presence of barbels
  • 12. Which shark family includes the great white shark?
A) Orectolobidae
B) Carcharhinidae
C) Lamnidae
D) Squalidae
  • 13. What is the primary diet of whale sharks?
A) Squid
B) Fish
C) Seals
D) Plankton
  • 14. Which family are carpet sharks a part of?
A) Squatinidae
B) Hexanchidae
C) Orectolobidae
D) Rhincodontidae
  • 15. What is the defining characteristic of angelsharks (Squatinidae)?
A) Flattened body
B) Six gills
C) Elongated snout
D) Spiraled intestines
  • 16. How many gill slits do most sharks have?
A) Seven
B) Five
C) Six
D) Four
  • 17. Which shark has six gill slits?
A) Hexanchus griseus (Sixgill shark)
B) Sphyrna lewini (Scalloped hammerhead)
C) Rhincodon typus (Whale shark)
D) Carcharodon carcharias (Great white shark)
  • 18. What is the term for sharks that lay eggs?
A) Asexual
B) Ovoviviparous
C) Oviparous
D) Viviparous
  • 19. What is a 'mermaid's purse'?
A) A shark's stomach
B) A shark's kidney
C) An egg case of some shark species
D) A shark's heart
  • 20. Which of the following is a filter-feeding shark?
A) Basking shark
B) Tiger shark
C) Bull shark
D) Mako shark
  • 21. What is the primary function of the lateral line?
A) Detecting vibrations in the water
B) Sense of taste
C) Detecting electrical fields
D) Sense of smell
  • 22. What is the general body shape of a dogfish shark?
A) Saw-shaped
B) Hammer-shaped
C) Torpedo-shaped
D) Flattened
  • 23. What is the function of claspers in male sharks?
A) Sensing prey
B) Balance
C) Reproduction
D) Defense
  • 24. Which shark is known for its distinctive elongated upper caudal lobe?
A) Reef shark
B) Lemon shark
C) Nurse shark
D) Thresher shark
  • 25. Which of the following sharks is most likely to be found in freshwater?
A) Great white shark
B) Mako shark
C) Hammerhead shark
D) Bull shark
  • 26. What is the term for the tooth replacement system in sharks?
A) Diphyodont
B) Monophyodont
C) Oligodont
D) Polyphyodont
  • 27. What is the purpose of countershading in sharks?
A) Defense against parasites
B) Camouflage
C) Attracting mates
D) Temperature regulation
  • 28. Which shark has a 'wobbegong' as a common name?
A) Cetorhinus maximus
B) Orectolobus maculatus
C) Galeocerdo cuvier
D) Squalus acanthias
  • 29. What distinguishes megamouth sharks from other shark species?
A) Hammer-shaped head
B) Deep-sea bioluminescence
C) Spotted patterns
D) Large mouth and filter-feeding behavior
  • 30. Which body part is used to identify Port Jackson sharks?
A) Shape of caudal fin
B) Number of dorsal fins
C) Presence of an anal fin
D) Harness-like markings
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