View source for Sawshark

{{Short description|Family of fishes}}
{{Distinguish|sawfish|sawskate}}
{{Automatic taxobox
| name = Sawsharks
| fossil_range = {{fossil range|86.3|0|[[Santonian]]-recent}}
| image = Pristiophorus nudipinnis.jpg
| image_caption = [[Shortnose sawshark]], ''[[Pristiophorus nudipinnis]]''
| display_parents = 3
| parent_authority = [[Leo S. Berg|L. S. Berg]], 1958
| taxon = Pristiophoridae
| authority = [[Pieter Bleeker|Bleeker]], 1859
| subdivision_ranks = Genera
| subdivision_ref = <ref>{{FishBase family | family = Pristiophoridae| month = October | year = 2013}}</ref>
| subdivision = * †''[[Ikamauius]]'' <small>Keyes, 1979</small>
* ''[[Pliotrema]]'' <small>[[Charles Tate Regan|Regan]], 1906</small>
* †''[[Pochitaserra]]'' <small>Villafaña ''et al.'', 2025</small>
* ''[[Pristiophorus]]'' <small>[[Johannes Peter Müller|J. P. Müller]] & [[Friedrich Gustav Jakob Henle|Henle]], 1837</small>
* ?†''[[Propristiophorus]]'' <small>[[Arthur Smith Woodward|Woodward]], 1932</small>
| type_species = ''[[Pristiophorus cirratus]]''
| type_species_authority = Latham, 1794
}}{{Cleanup|date=November 2025|reason=Too much info on individual species that would better belong on their own pages}}

A '''sawshark''' or '''saw shark''' is a member of a [[shark]] order ('''Pristiophoriformes''' {{IPAc-en|p|r|I|s|t|i|'|Q|f|Qr|ᵻ|f|ɔr|m|iː|z}}) bearing a unique long, saw-like [[Rostrum (anatomy)|rostrum]] (snout or bill) edged with sharp teeth, which they use to slash and disable their prey. There are ten species within the Pristiophoriformes, the longnose or common sawshark (''[[Pristiophorus cirratus]]''), shortnose sawshark (''[[Pristiophorus nudipinnis]]''), Japanese sawshark (''[[Pristiophorus japonicus|Pristiophorus japonicas]]''), Bahamas sawshark (''[[Pristiophorus schroederi]]''), Warren's sixgill sawshark (''[[Pliotrema warreni]]''), Anna's sixgill sawshark (''[[Pliotrema annae]]''), Kaja's sixgill sawshark (''[[Pliotrema kajae]]''), African dwarf sawshark (''[[Pristiophorus nancyae]]''), Lana's sawshark (''[[Pristiophorus lanae]]'') and the tropical sawshark (''[[Pristiophorus delicatus]]'').<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fishbase.org/NoRecord.php?Type=Summary&typesearch=simple&crit1_operator=EQUAL&crit1_value=Pristiophorus&crit2_operator=EQUAL&crit2_value=&group=summary&computeall=false|title=Sawshark entry on Fishbase}}</ref>

Sawsharks are found in many areas around the world, most commonly in waters from the [[Indian Ocean]] to the southern [[Pacific Ocean]]. They are normally found at depths around 40–100&nbsp;m, but can be found much lower in tropical regions. The Bahamas sawshark was discovered in deeper waters (640 m to 915 m) of the northwestern [[Caribbean]].

==Description and life cycle==

Sawsharks have a pair of long [[barbel (anatomy)|barbels]] about halfway along the snout. They have two [[dorsal fin]]s, but lack [[anal fin]]s.<ref name="FBS720">{{cite web|url=http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=720|title=Pliotrema warreni summary page|website=FishBase|access-date=8 December 2017}}</ref> Genus ''Pliotrema'' has six [[gill slit]]s, and ''Pristiophorus'' the more usual five. The teeth of the saw typically alternate between large and small. Saw sharks reach a length of up to 5 feet and a weight of 18.7 pounds, with females tending to be slightly larger than males.<ref name="A">{{Cite web|url=http://www.softschools.com/facts/animals/saw_shark_facts/477/|title=Saw Shark Facts|website=softschools.com|access-date=8 December 2017}}</ref>

The body of a longnose saw shark is covered in tiny placoid scales: modified teeth covered in hard enamel.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thoughtco.com/placoid-scales-definition-2291736|title=Why Shark Skin Is So Rough|work=ThoughtCo|access-date=2017-12-07}}</ref> The body is a yellow-brown color which is sometimes covered in dark spots or blotches. This coloration allows the saw shark to easily blend with the sandy ocean floor.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=http://www.softschools.com/facts/animals/saw_shark_facts/477/|title=Saw shark Facts|website=www.softschools.com|language=en|access-date=2017-12-07}}</ref>

These sharks typically feed on small fish, [[squid]], and [[crustacean]]s, depending on species. The function of the sawshark barbels are not well understood,<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Nevatte |first1=R. J. |last2=Williamson |first2=J. E. |last3=Vella |first3=N. G. F. |last4=Raoult |first4=V. |last5=Wueringer |first5=B. E. |title=Morphometry and microanatomy of the barbels of the common sawshark Pristiophorus cirratus (Pristiophoridae): implications for pristiophorid behaviour: microanatomy of pristiophorus cirratus barbels |journal=Journal of Fish Biology |date=May 2017 |volume=90 |issue=5 |pages=1906–1925 |doi=10.1111/jfb.13275 |pmid=28303565 }}</ref> and neither is how they use their rostrum. It is possible they use it in a similar fashion as sawfishes, and hit prey with side-to-side swipes of the saw, crippling them. The saw could also be utilized against other predators in defense. The saw is covered with specialized sensory organs ([[ampullae of Lorenzini]]) which detect an electric field which is given off by buried prey.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://oceana.org/marine-life/sharks-rays/longnose-sawshark|title=Longnose Sawshark}}</ref>

Saw sharks life history is still poorly understood. Mating season occurs seasonally in coastal areas. Saw sharks are [[ovoviviparous]] meaning eggs hatch inside the mother. They have litters of 3–22 pups every 2 years. After 12 months of pregnancy, the pups are born at 30&nbsp;cm long. While in the mother, pups' [[Rostral (anatomical term)|rostral]] teeth are angled backwards to avoid harming the mother. The life expectancy of sawsharks is still poorly understood, but they are thought to live to 10 years or more.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Burke |first1=Patrick J. |last2=Raoult |first2=Vincent |last3=Natanson |first3=Lisa J. |last4=Murphy |first4=Timothy D. |last5=Peddemors |first5=Victor |last6=Williamson |first6=Jane E. |title=Struggling with age: Common sawsharks (Pristiophorus cirratus) defy age determination using a range of traditional methods |journal=Fisheries Research |date=November 2020 |volume=231 |article-number=105706 |doi=10.1016/j.fishres.2020.105706 |bibcode=2020FishR.23105706B |s2cid=224864226 }}</ref>

== Human interaction ==
[[File:Pristiophorus nudipinnis McCoy.jpg|thumb|253px|right|{{center|[[Shortnose sawshark]]}}]]Among the different species of sawshark, all are listed on the IUCN Red List of 2017 as either data deficient or of least concern<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.iucnredlist.org/search|title=Search Results|website=www.iucnredlist.org|access-date=2017-12-08}}</ref> Saw sharks do not see much human interaction because of their deep habitats. [[File:Sketchbook of fishes - 25. (Longnose) Saw shark - William Buelow Gould, c1832.jpg|thumb|253px|right|{{center|[[Longnose sawshark]]}}]]

== Species ==

There are currently ten known species of sawsharks across two genera in this family:
* ''[[Pliotrema]]'' <small>[[Charles Tate Regan|Regan]], 1906</small> 
**''[[Pliotrema annae]]'' <small>[[Simon Weigmann|Weigmann]], [[Ofer Gon|Gon]], [[Ruth H. Leeney|Leeney]] & [[Andrew J. Temple|Temple]], 2020</small> (Anna's sixgill sawshark)
**''[[Pliotrema kajae]]'' <small>Weigmann, Gon, Leeney & Temple, 2020</small> (Kaja's sixgill sawshark)<ref>Simon Weigmann, Ofer Gon, Ruth H. Leeney, Ellen Barrowclift, Per Berggren, Narriman Jiddawi, Andrew J. Temple: ''Revision of the sixgill sawsharks, genus Pliotrema (Chondrichthyes, Pristiophoriformes), with descriptions of two new species and a redescription of P. warreni Regan.'' [[PLOS ONE]], März 2020, [[doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228791]]</ref>
**''[[Pliotrema warreni]]'' <small>Regan, 1906</small> (Warren's sixgill sawshark)
*''[[Pristiophorus]]'' <small>[[Johannes Peter Müller|J. P. Müller]] & [[Friedrich Gustav Jakob Henle|Henle]], 1837</small>
**''[[Pristiophorus cirratus]]'' <small>([[John Latham (ornithologist)|Latham]], 1794)</small> (longnose sawshark or common sawshark)
**''[[Pristiophorus delicatus]]'' <small>[[Gordon K. Yearsley|Yearsley]], [[Peter R. Last|Last]] & [[William Toby White|White]], 2008</small> (tropical sawshark)
**''[[Pristiophorus japonicus]]'' <small>[[Albert Günther|Günther]], 1870</small> (Japanese sawshark)
**''[[Pristiophorus lanae]]'' <small>[[David A. Ebert|Ebert]] & [[Hana A. Wilms|Wilms]], 2013</small> (Lana's sawshark or Philippine Sawshark)
**''[[Pristiophorus nancyae]]'' <small>Ebert & [[Gregor M. Cailliet|Cailliet]], 2011</small> (African dwarf sawshark)
**''[[Pristiophorus nudipinnis]]'' <small>Günther, 1870</small> (shortnose or southern sawshark)
**''[[Pristiophorus schroederi]]'' <small>[[Stewart Springer|S. Springer]] & Bullis, 1960</small> (Bahamas sawshark)
[[File:Pristiophorus tumidens MNHN.F.SHA1593.png|thumb|Fossil specimen of the extinct [[Cretaceous]] sawshark [[Propristiophorus|''Pristiophorus'' (=''Propristiophorus'') ''tumidens'']]]]
The following fossil genera are also known:<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last=Villafaña |first=Jaime A. |last2=Campos-Medina |first2=Jorge |last3=Chávez-Hoffmeister |first3=Martín F. |last4=Araya |first4=Selene |last5=Araya |first5=Benjamin |last6=Ledezma |first6=Leandro |last7=Hernandez |first7=Yusse |last8=Ramos-Rojas |first8=Héctor A. |last9=Bolomey |first9=Jorge |last10=Tejo |first10=Matias |last11=Vera |first11=Francisca |last12=Campoy |first12=Ana N. |last13=Arotaipe |first13=Rosmery |last14=Bugueño |first14=Yara |last15=Antiquera |first15=Bianca |date=2025 |title=Diving into the past: a new assemblage of Neogene elasmobranch microfossils from the eastern Pacific of South America |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/spp2.70043 |journal=Papers in Palaeontology |language=en |volume=11 |issue=6 |article-number=e70043 |doi=10.1002/spp2.70043 |issn=2056-2802}}</ref>

* †''[[Ikamauius]]'' <small>Keyes, 1979</small> ([[Eocene]] to [[Pleistocene]] of [[New Zealand]])<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Keyes |first=I.W. |date=1979-02-01 |title=Ikamauius, a new genus of fossil sawshark (Order Selachii: Family Pristiophoridae) from the Cenozoic of New Zealand |journal=New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics |volume=22 |issue=1 |pages=125–129 |doi=10.1080/00288306.1979.10422558 |issn=0028-8306}}</ref>
* †''[[Pochitaserra]]'' <small>Villafaña ''et al''., 2025</small> ([[Late Miocene]] of [[Chile]])<ref name=":2" />
* †''[[Propristiophorus]]'' <small>[[Arthur Smith Woodward|Woodward]], 1932</small> ([[Late Cretaceous]] of [[Lebanon]]; potentially synonymous with ''Pristiophorus'')<ref name=":2" />

=== Warren's Sixgill sawshark ===
The '''sixgill sawshark''' (''Pliotrema warreni'') is known for its six pairs of gills located on its sides close to the head. They are pale brown in color, with a white underbelly. Along with their color, their size sets them apart from the other types of sawfish: The females are around 136&nbsp;cm where the males are around 112&nbsp;cm. Sixgill sawsharks feed on shrimp, squid and bony fish. They are located around the southern portion of South Africa, and Madagascar. Where found, they are considered a prize catch.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pliotrema warreni |url=http://eol.org/pages/223360/details |website=Encyclopedia of Life |access-date=9 December 2017}}</ref> They dwell in the rage of 37–500&nbsp;m, preferring to stay in the warmer water. They have between 5 and 7&nbsp;pups from 7–17&nbsp;eggs. They have these young in the range of 37–50 m&nbsp;deep to make sure the pups are warm.<ref>{{cite iucn |author=Pollom, R. |author2=Rigby, C.L. |author3=Bennett, R. |author4=Fennessy, S. |author5=Gledhill, K. |author6=Leslie, R. |author7=Sink, K. |author8=Winker, H. |author9=Pacoureau, N. |author10=Herman, K. |author11=Cheok, J. |date=2020 |title=''Pliotrema warreni'' |volume=2020 |article-number=e.T171728748A124432293 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T171728748A124432293.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>

=== Longnose or common sawshark ===
The '''longnose sawshark''' aka the '''common sawshark''' (''Pristiophorus  cirratus'') is one of 9 species within the family Pristiophoridae.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.world-of-sharks.com/longnose-sawshark.html|title=Longnose Sawshark|work=World-Of-Sharks.com|access-date=2017-12-09}}</ref> It has unique physical characteristics which include a long, thin, and flattened snout. Midway down the snout, nasal barbels protrude on both sides of the snout.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Pristiophorus_cirratus/|title=Pristiophorus cirratus (Common sawshark)|website=Animal Diversity Web|language=en|access-date=2017-12-09}}</ref> Near the barbels, the longnose sawshark possesses a pair of ampullae of Lorenzini. It is unique among the sawshark family by having a longer snout than any of its counter species.<ref name=":0" /> The longnose sawshark is not very large with lengths ranging from around 14 inches at birth to 38 inches in males and 44 inches in females.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.elasmo-research.org/education/ecology/sandy-longnose.htm|title=Sandy Plains: Longnose Sawshark|website=www.elasmo-research.org|access-date=2017-12-09}}</ref> They can also grow to a weight of 18.7 pounds.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.softschools.com/facts/animals/saw_shark_facts/477/|title=Saw shark Facts|website=www.softschools.com|language=en|access-date=2017-12-09}}</ref> They are known to swim in the waters off the southern coast of Australia's continental shelf. They can also be found in the eastern portion of the Indian Ocean.<ref name=":0" /> The longnose sawshark prefers to swim in both the open sea and coastal regions from the surface to a depth of 600m.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Raoult |first1=V. |last2=Peddemors |first2=V. |last3=Rowling |first3=K. |last4=Williamson |first4=J. E. |title=Spatiotemporal distributions of two sympatric sawsharks (Pristiophorus cirratus and P. nudipinnis) in south-eastern Australian waters |journal=Marine and Freshwater Research |date=18 March 2020 |volume=71 |issue=10 |page=1342 |doi=10.1071/MF19277 |bibcode=2020MFRes..71.1342R |s2cid=216286223 }}</ref> The longnose Sawshark is known to mainly prey on small crustaceans.<ref name="Raoult et al 2015">{{cite journal |last1=Raoult |first1=Vincent |last2=Gaston |first2=Troy F. |last3=Williamson |first3=Jane E. |title=Not all sawsharks are equal: species of co-existing sawsharks show plasticity in trophic consumption both within and between species |journal=Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences |date=November 2015 |volume=72 |issue=11 |pages=1769–1775 |doi=10.1139/cjfas-2015-0307 |bibcode=2015CJFAS..72.1769R |hdl=1807/69872 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> It uses its barbels to detect prey on the ocean floor which it then hits with its snout to immobilize it.<ref name=":1" /> Like all other sawsharks, the common sawshark has a long snout with rows of small teeth and barbels on either side. It has five gill slits on either side of its head and between 19 and 25 teeth on each side.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://australianmuseum.net.au/common-sawshark-pristiophorus-cirratus|title=Common Sawshark, Pristiophorus cirratus (Latham, 1794) - Australian Museum|website=australianmuseum.net.au|language=en|access-date=2017-12-10}}</ref> Sawsharks appear to be one of the types of elasmobranch that are difficult or impossible to age using most commonly used approaches that rely on vertebral banding.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Burke |first1=Patrick J. |last2=Raoult |first2=Vincent |last3=Natanson |first3=Lisa J. |last4=Murphy |first4=Timothy D. |last5=Peddemors |first5=Victor |last6=Williamson |first6=Jane E. |title=Struggling with age: Common sawsharks (Pristiophorus cirratus) defy age determination using a range of traditional methods |journal=Fisheries Research |date=1 November 2020 |volume=231 |article-number=105706 |doi=10.1016/j.fishres.2020.105706 |bibcode=2020FishR.23105706B |s2cid=224864226 }}</ref>

=== Shortnose or southern sawshark ===
The '''shortnose sawshark''' aka the '''southern sawshark''' (''Pristiophorus  nudipinnis'') is found in south-eastern Australian waters. Much of its distribution overlaps with that of the Common sawshark, however, it seems to occur less frequently.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Raoult |first1=V. |last2=Peddemors |first2=V. |last3=Rowling |first3=K. |last4=Williamson |first4=J. E. |title=Spatiotemporal distributions of two sympatric sawsharks (Pristiophorus cirratus and P. nudipinnis) in south-eastern Australian waters |journal=Marine and Freshwater Research |date=2020 |volume=71 |issue=10 |page=1342 |doi=10.1071/MF19277 |bibcode=2020MFRes..71.1342R |s2cid=216286223 }}</ref> This species is similar in size as the common sawshark, but has a broader rostrum (saw) and a more even brown coloration. It also grows to be heavier than the common sawshark.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Raoult |first1=V. |last2=Peddemors |first2=V. |last3=Williamson |first3=J. E. |title=Biology of angel sharks (Squatina sp.) and sawsharks (Pristiophorus sp.) caught in south-eastern Australian trawl fisheries and the New South Wales shark-meshing (bather-protection) program |journal=Marine and Freshwater Research |date=21 February 2017 |volume=68 |issue=2 |pages=207–212 |doi=10.1071/MF15369 |bibcode=2017MFRes..68..207R }}</ref> Since the color pattern of the common sawshark may be more or less defined, the easiest way to separate this species from the common sawshark is the location of the barbels, which are closer to the mouth than the co-occurring common sawshark. Unlike the common sawshark, the southern sawshark likely feeds mainly on fishes.<ref name="Raoult et al 2015"/>

=== Tropical sawshark ===
The '''tropical sawshark''' (''Pristiophorus delicatus'') a pale brown with a yellow hue, and an underbelly that is a pale yellow to white.<ref>{{cite iucn |author=Rigby, C.L. |author2=Heupel, M.R. |date=2015 |title=''Pristiophorus delicatus'' |volume=2015 |article-number=e.T42720A68641067 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T42720A68641067.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref> This deep water dwelling fish is located off the Northeastern shore of Australia, in depths up to 176–405&nbsp;m. It averages in size at about 95&nbsp;cm. Other than its location and appearance little is known of the creature; it is hard to catch due to its ability to travel into the depths of the ocean.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Capuli|first1=Estelita Emily|title=Pristiophorus delicatus Yearsley, Last & White, 2008 Tropical sawshark|url=http://www.fishbase.org/summary/64115|website=FishBase|access-date=9 December 2017}}</ref>

=== Japanese sawshark ===
The '''Japanese sawshark''' (''Pristiophorus japonicus'') is a species of sawshark that lives off the coast of Japan, Korea, and Northern China. It swims at a depth of 500 m.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=http://www.fishbase.org/summary/722|title=Pristiophorus japonicus summary page|website=FishBase|language=en|access-date=2017-12-10}}</ref> It has around 15–26 large [[Rostral (anatomical term)|rostral]] teeth in front of the barbels, which are equal distance from the gills to the snout, and about 9–17 teeth behind the barbels.<ref name=":5" /> Like all sawsharks, the Japanese sawshark is ovoviviparous, and feeds on crustaceans and bottom dwelling organisms.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://species-identification.org/species.php?species_group=sharks&id=226|title=Marine Species Identification Portal: Japanese sawshark - Pristiophorus japonicus|website=species-identification.org|language=en|access-date=2017-12-10}}</ref>

=== Lana's sawshark ===
'''Lana's sawshark''' (''Pristiophorus lanae'') is a species of sawshark that inhabits the Philippine coast. It was discovered in 1966 by Dave Ebert, who distinguished it as a new species of sawshark based on its number of [[Rostral (anatomical term)|rostral]] teeth.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.calacademy.org/explore-science/lana%E2%80%99s-sawshark|title=Lana's Sawshark|work=California Academy of Sciences|access-date=2017-12-10|language=en}}</ref> Lana's sawshark was named after Lana Ebert on the occasion of her graduation from the University of Francisco.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sci-news.com/biology/science-pristiophorus-lanae-new-species-sawshark-01642.html|title=Pristiophorus lanae: New Species of Sawshark Discovered {{!}} Biology {{!}} Sci-News.com|work=Breaking Science News {{!}} Sci-News.com|access-date=2017-12-10|language=en-US}}</ref> It has a dark uniform brown color on the dorsal side and a pale white on the ventral side.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=http://www.fishbase.org/summary/67529|title=Pristiophorus lanae summary page|website=FishBase|language=en|access-date=2017-12-10}}</ref> It is slender bodied, has five gills on each side, and can grow to be around 70&nbsp;cm.<ref name=":6" />

=== African dwarf sawshark ===
The '''African dwarf sawshark''' (''Pristiophorus nancyae'') is a small five-gill sawshark that lives off the coast of Mozambique. It was first discovered in 2011 when a specimen was caught off the coast of Mozambique at a depth of 1,600&nbsp;ft. The African dwarf sawshark has since then been spotted off the coasts of Kenya and Yemen.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=http://www.fishbase.org/summary/66199|title=Pristiophorus nancyae summary page|website=FishBase|language=en|access-date=2017-12-10}}</ref> It can be distinguished from other sawsharks by its location, and by having its barbels closer to its mouth than the end of its rostrum. It has a brownish grey color and becomes white along the ventral side.<ref name=":4" /> Little else is known about the African Dwarf Sawshark as it is a newly discovered species.

=== Shortnose sawshark ===
The '''shortnose sawshark''' (''Pristiophorus nudipinnis'') is similar to the longnose sawshark; however, it has a slightly compressed body and shorter more narrow rostrum. It has 13 teeth in front of its barbels and 6 behind.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://slideplayer.com/slide/1701991/|title=Order: Pristiophoriformes Family: Pristiophoridae (Sawsharks) - ppt video online download|website=slideplayer.com|access-date=2017-12-09}}</ref> The shortnose sawshark tends to be uniformly slate grey with no markings on its dorsal side and pale white or cream on its ventral side. Females reach around 124&nbsp;cm (49&nbsp;in) long, and males reach around 110&nbsp;cm (43&nbsp;in) long. These sharks can live to be up to 9 years old. Like other sawsharks, the Short Nose lives a [[Benthic zone|benthic]] lifestyle and feeds on benthic invertebrates. It uses its barbels to detect life on the ocean floor which it then paralyzes with its rostrum. The species is ovoviviparous and tends to give birth to a litter of 7–14 pups biannually. It inhabits ocean floors off the coast of Australia.

=== Bahamas sawshark ===
The '''Bahamas sawsharks''' (''Pristiophorus schroeder'') have very little information on them. Studies are being done daily to learn more about the deep sea dweller.<ref>{{cite iucn |author=Kyne, P.M. |author2=Herman, K. |author3=Talwar, B.S. |author4=Schneider, E.V.C. |date=2020 |title=''Pristiophorus schroederi'' |volume=2020 |article-number=e.T60226A124453528 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T60226A124453528.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref> They are located near Cuba, Florida, and the Bahamas (hence their name) where they dwell in the depths of 400–1000&nbsp;m. As far as their appearance they can be identified by their snouts with teeth which appear as a saw, as well as their length, they are averaged at 80&nbsp;cm in length.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Carpenter|first1=Kent E.|last2=Kesner-Reyes|first2=Kathleen|title=Pristiophorus schroederi Springer & Bullis, 1960 Bahamas sawshark|url=http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?ID=724&AT=Bahamas+sawshark|website=FishBase|access-date=9 December 2017}}</ref>

==Comparison with sawfish==
Saw sharks and [[sawfish]] are [[cartilaginous fish]] possessing large saws. These are the only two fish that have a long blade-like snout.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sharksavers.org/en/education/shark-species-introduction/46-sawsharks-order-pristiophoriformes.html|title=Shark Species Introduction|website=sharksavers.org}}</ref> Although they are similar in appearances, saw sharks are distinct from [[sawfish]]. Sawfish are not sharks, but a type of [[Batoidea|ray]]. The gill slits of the sawfishes are positioned on the underside like a ray, but the gill slits of the saw shark are positioned on the side like a shark. Sawfish can have a much larger size, lack barbels, and have evenly sized teeth rather than alternating teeth of the saw shark. Clear difference is that a sawfish has no barbels and a saw shark has a prominent pair halfway along the saw. The saw shark uses these like other bottom fish, as a kind of antennae, feeling the way along the ocean bottom until it finds some prey of interest. Both the saw shark and the sawfish utilize the [[Electroreception and electrogenesis|electroreceptors]] on the saw, [[ampullae of Lorenzini]], to detect the electric field given off by buried prey.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! colspan=4 | Comparison of sawsharks and [[sawfish]]es
|-
! colspan=4 | {{multiple image
 | align = left
 | direction = horizontal
 | image1    = Pristiophorus japonicus cropped.jpg
 | width1    = 320
 | caption1  = {{center|[[Japanese sawshark]]}}
 | image2    = Pristis pristis - Georgia Aquarium Jan 2006.jpg
 | width2    = 280
 | caption2  = {{center|[[Smalltooth sawfish]]}}
}}
|-
! Characteristic
! Sawshark
! Sawfish
! Sources
|-
| [[Fish gill|Gill]] openings
| Peripheral (sides)
| Ventral (underside)
| style="text-align:center"|<ref name=ufl>[http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/education/questions/sawfishbiology.html Ichthyology: Sawfish Biology] University of Florida, Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 23 March 2013.</ref>
|-
| [[Barbel (anatomy)|Barbels]]
| Single pair of barbels on saw
| No barbels
| style="text-align:center"|
|-
| Saw teeth
| Alternate between large and small
| Equal size
| style="text-align:center"|
|-
| Habitat
| Deep offshore waters
| Shallow coastal waters
| style="text-align:center"|<ref name=ufl />
|-
| Size
| Relatively small, reaching only 5&nbsp;ft
| Relatively large, reaching 23&nbsp;ft
| style="text-align:center"|<ref name=ufl />
|}

==See also==
{{Portal|Sharks}}
* [[List of sharks]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Pristiophoriformes}}
{{Wikispecies|Pristiophoridae}}
* [http://www.elasmo-research.org/education/shark_profiles/pristiophoriformes.htm Reefquest page]
* [http://www.elasmo-research.org/education/topics/d_checklist.htm Checklist of Living Sharks]
* [https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sharks/world/thlongnose.html NOVA Online photo of longnose sawshark]

{{Shark nav}}
{{Chondrichthyes}}
{{Selachimorpha|P.}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q3404184}}

[[Category:Pristiophoriformes| ]]
[[Category:Extant Late Jurassic first appearances]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Pieter Bleeker]]