Fig 5. Characteristic squamation pattern of the seven ecological groups of sharks defined by Reif [15] showing the body distribution of scale morphotypes and functional types.

(A) Large near-shore hunters (illustrated by Carcharhinus brachyurus). (B) Fast pelagic hunting species (illustrated by Isurus oxyrinchus). (C) Schooling species of low to moderate speed (illustrated by Squalus acanthias). (D) Demersal species on rocky substrates and in caves (illustrated by Ginglymostoma cirratum). (E) Demersal species on sandy and muddy substrates (illustrated by Scyliorhinus canicula). (F) Mesopelagic luminescent species (illustrated by Etmopterus spinax). (G) Slow species of the open water (illustrated by Hexanchus griseus). All shark drawings taken from Shark Trust [72], courtesy of Marc Dando. Scale drawings modified from Compagno [62, 63, 64].