Definition

Noun: 1. A taxonomic family of sharks: Carcharhinidae is the scientific name for the largest family of living sharks, commonly known as requiem sharks. Members of this family are characterized by features such as nictitating eyelids, five gill slits, two dorsal fins without spines, and an anal fin. They are found in oceans worldwide, particularly in tropical and warm temperate waters.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The family Carcharhinidae includes many well-known species like the tiger shark and the bull shark.
  • Marine biologists are studying the migratory patterns within the family Carcharhinidae.
  • Sharks belonging to the family Carcharhinidae are often the top predators in their coastal ecosystems.

Advanced Usage

• In taxonomic hierarchy: The term is used in formal biological classification to group related species under the order Carcharhiniformes.
  • The genus Carcharhinus falls within the family Carcharhinidae.

Variants and Related Words

• Carcharhinid (noun/adjective): A member of the family Carcharhinidae; pertaining to this family.
  • The lemon shark is a carcharhinid.
• Requiem shark (noun): The common name for sharks in the family Carcharhinidae.

Synonyms

• Requiem sharks (common name)

Different Meanings

This term has a single, specific meaning in the field of zoology and taxonomy. It does not have general English language meanings outside of this scientific context.

Noun

1. largest family of living sharks; found worldwide especially in tropical waters; dorsal fin lacks spines: requiem sharks including tiger sharks and soupfin sharks