Sharks of the World: An Annotated and Illustrated Catalogue of Sharks Species Known to Date (FAO Species Identification Guides For Fishery Purposes) by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

This is an extensively rewritten, revised and updated version of the original FAO Catalogue of Sharks of the World. The present volume reviews all 15 families, 25 genera and 57 species of living bullhead, mackerel and carpet sharks (orders Heterodontiformes, Lamniformes and Orectolobiformes - the non-carcharhinoid galeomorph sharks), including certain well-established but currently undescribed species mainly from Australia. Accounts for all orders, families and genera are given and all keys to taxa are fully illustrated. Information under each species account includes: valid modern names and original citation of the species (or subspecies); synonyms; the official FAO names for the species in English, French and Spanish; a lateral view and often other useful illustrations; field marks; diagnostic features; distribution, including a GIS map; habitat; biology; size; interest to fisheries and human impact; local names when available; a remarks section when necessary; and literature. The volume is fully indexed and also contains sections on terminology and measurements including an extensive glossary, a list of species by FAO Statistical Areas, an appendix on shark preservation and an extensive bibliography. (Vol. 1 and Vol. 3 are in preparation).