The genera and species of "Requiem sharks"

This family represents the most typical forms of sharks. It is one of the bigger families with 12 genera consisting of 48 species, with 29 of them belonging to the genus Carcharhinus. Taxonomic features have to be used to differentiate between many of these similar species. Requiem sharks have circular, round eyes, internal nicitating eyelids (nicitating membranes) and usually no spiracle. The first dorsal fin is normally moderate-sized to large with its origin mostly close to or even above the pectoral fins. The second dorsal fin is usually smaller than the first one. Precaudal pits are present. The caudal fin has a strong ventral lobe. Except for the tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) that reproduces aplacental viviparous, all others show placental viviparity.