Subclass: Elasmobranchii (sharks and rays)

Superorder Galeomorphii (galeomorph sharks)

Order: Heterodontiformes (bullhead sharks)

These small, stout-bodied, mostly inshore bottom sharks have a piglike snout, small mouth, five gill slits, and enlarged rounded teeth in the back of their mouths for crushing invertebrate prey. They lay large, conical, helical-flanged egg-cases on the bottom. Only 1 family, Heterodontidae, with 8 species, 1 in the area: Heterodontus ramalheira (Whitespotted bullhead shark)

Order: Lamniformes (mackeral sharks)

Typical large sharks with 2 spineless dorsal fins, an anal fin, 5 pairs of gill slits, long mouths, and no nictitating eyelids. All species probably live-bearing and with uterine cannibalism. 15 species in 7 families, of which 11 species in the Families Odontaspididae, Mitsukurinidae, Pseudocarcharidae, Alopiidae, Cetorhinidae, and Lamnidae occur in the area.

Order: Orectolobiformes (carpet sharks)

The only sharks that combine 2 spineless dorsal fins, an anal fin, nasal barbels, and a short mouth well in front of the eyes. These are variably egg-laying or live-bearing. 32 living species in 7 families; only the Families Stegostomatidae, Ginglymstomatidae, and Rhincodontidae occur in the area, each with a single species.

Order: Carcharhiniformes (Ground sharks)

The dominant major group of sharks, with 2 spineless dorsal fins, 5 pairs of gill slits, movable nictitating lower eyelids that protect the eyes, and a long mouth extending behind the eyes. Egg laying or live-bearing, some with a placenta. Over 209 species in 8 families; 6 families, Scyliorhinidae, Proscylliidae, Triakidae, Hemigaleidae, Carcharhinidae, and Sphyrnidae, in the area, with 49 species.

Superorder: Squalomorphii (squalomorph sharks)

Order: Hexanchiformes (cow sharks)

Order: Squaliformes (dogfish sharks)

Order: Pristiophoriformes (sawsharks)

Order: Squatiniformes (angel sharks)

Superorder: Batoidei (rays)

Order: Rajiformes (rays)

Suborder: Pristoidei (sawfishes)

Suborder: Rhinoidei (sharkrays)

Suborder: Rhynchobatoidei (wedgefishes)

Suborder: Rhinobatoidei (guitarfishes)

Suborder: Torpedinoidei (Electric rays)

Suborder: Rajoidei (skates)

Suborder: Myliobatoidei (stingrays)

Subclass: Holocephalii (chimaeras or silver sharks)