Alopias superciliosus can be easily distinguished from other species of thresher sharks due to its unique head shape, which was first recorded from the Maldives by USSR research vessels in 1978 (Gubanov, 1978).
Details
§ 01
size
Max. 4.6 m
color
Purplish-grey above, lighter below. Light ventral colouration not extending over pectoral fin bases.
This species of oceanic creature feeds on both pelagic and benthic fishes, as well as squids, and can be found in depths of up to 500 m. It is ovoviviparous, with uterine cannibalism, and typically produces two young per litter, though sometimes up to four.
distinctive characters
A large shark, with an enormous upper caudal lobe roughly equal in length to the rest of the shark, has a deep groove on each side of the nape and a distinct profile of the head over the eyes. The eyes are very large and extend onto the dorsal surface of the head, and the first dorsal fin is much larger than the second.