On the dentition of the sand shark, Odontaspis taurus, from the vicinity of Cananéia, Brazil

Abstract

Variation in the tooth distribution pattern and number of teeth is described from 528 jaws of the mangona or sand shark, Odontaspis taurus, from the vicinity of Cananéia, Brazil. On the basis of dental characteristics, this series gives no support to the recognition of more than one species of the shallow-water inhabiting sharks known variously over the world as sand sharks, mangonas, sardas, squalos toros, or grey nurse sharks. Counts of the teeth of 12 females and the two embryos contained in each of them show a considerable variation within each family group.