Scoliodon

Scoliodon is a genus of requiem sharks in the family Carcharhinidae. It was formerly thought to include only a single Indo-Pacific species, the spadenose shark (S. laticaudus), but recent taxonomic research has found two species, and the formerly excluded junior synonyms need to be resurrected. Like most sharks, Scoliodon is marine, and is found in all open seas. Scoliodon has an elongated, spindle-shaped body tapered at the ends, making it a very fast swimmer. The trunk and tail are laterally compressed, while the head region is dorsoventrally compressed. The entire body is covered by an exoskeleton of placoid scales. The mouth is located on the ventral side and is bound on both sides by jaws. It has two rows of homodont or polyphyodont teeth, which are homologous to the placoid scales covering the body.