Pristidae

Pristidae is a family of rays commonly known as sawfishes. They are large, cartilaginous fish belonging to the order Rhinopristiformes. Sawfishes are distinguished by an elongated, flattening rostrum or “saw” that bears teeth on both sides; this rostrum is used to probe for prey, slash predators, and sense electrical signals in the water. The body is generally flattened with large pectoral fins, and the tail is typically long and tapered.

Sawfishes inhabit warm, shallow, coastal waters and are found in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. They occupy estuaries, mangroves, seagrass beds, and sometimes freshwater rivers. Some species undertake seasonal movements between inshore and brackish habitats, and their distribution has declined markedly due to habitat destruction and overfishing.

Taxonomically, Pristidae comprises two genera: Pristis and Anoxypristis. Species include the largetooth sawfish (Pristis pristis), the smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata), and the narrow sawfish (Anoxypristis cuspidata). Classification has varied, with some authorities recognizing an additional genus and others consolidating species differently; all are united by the characteristic rostrum.

Biology and ecology: Sawfishes are ovoviviparous or viviparous, giving birth to live young after a variable gestation period. Litter sizes and growth rates differ among species. They rely on slow growth and late maturity, making them particularly vulnerable to overexploitation and population decline.

Conservation: All sawfish species are severely threatened by overfishing, bycatch, and habitat loss. They are broadly protected in many jurisdictions, and international trade is restricted or prohibited under CITES. Ongoing conservation efforts focus on habitat protection, bycatch reduction, and population monitoring.