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