Lamniforms

Lamniforms are an order of sharks that includes some of the most well-known and formidable species. The name "Lamniformes" is derived from the Greek word "lamna," meaning shark. This order encompasses a diverse group of sharks, ranging from the small, deep-sea goblin shark to the massive basking shark, though the latter is sometimes placed in its own order. A defining characteristic of many lamniforms is their streamlined, torpedo-shaped body, which is well-adapted for active swimming and pursuing prey. They also possess two dorsal fins, an anal fin, and five to seven gill slits. Many species exhibit a countershading pattern of coloration, with a darker dorsal side and a lighter ventral side, providing camouflage in the open ocean.

The reproductive strategies within Lamniformes vary. Some species, like the great white shark, are ovoviviparous, meaning their eggs hatch inside the mother's body, and the young are born live. Others, such as the porbeagle, exhibit ovoviviparity with a form of uterine cannibalism, where the developing embryos consume unfertilized eggs or smaller siblings. Lamniforms are found in oceans worldwide, inhabiting a range of environments from coastal waters to the deep sea and from polar regions to the tropics. Their diets are equally varied, including fish, squid, marine mammals, and even plankton in the case of filter-feeding species. Notable members of this order include the great white shark, mako sharks, thresher sharks, and the aforementioned goblin shark.