Echinorhinus

Echinorhinus is a genus of sharks in the order Echinorhiniformes. It is the sole genus within its order and family, Echinorhinidae. Currently, two living species are recognized: Echinorhinus brucus, commonly known as the bramble shark, and Echinorhinus cookei, the prickly shark. These sharks are characterized by their unusual dermal denticles, which are large, flattened, and spiny, resembling small thorns or brambles. This distinctive feature gives them their common names.

Bramble sharks are found in temperate and tropical waters worldwide, inhabiting the continental slopes and abyssal plains at depths ranging from near the surface to over 1700 meters. They are typically solitary and slow-moving, often found near the seabed. Their diet consists mainly of benthic invertebrates, fish, and cephalopods. Echinorhinus brucus is characterized by its stout body, rounded snout, and a pair of small dorsal fins set far back on the body. Echinorhinus cookei, while similar in appearance, is distinguished by subtle differences in its dentition and fin placement and is found primarily in the Indo-Pacific region. Both species are ovoviviparous, meaning the eggs hatch inside the mother, and the young are born live. Due to their deep-sea habitat and infrequent sightings, much about their biology and behavior remains poorly understood. They are not considered a significant commercial fishing target, though they can be caught as bycatch.