Evolution Summative

Name
 Evolutionary History of the Lamnidae Family

Exploring the Fascinating World of Sharks

● The great white shark, mako shark, and porbeagle shark are just a few of the famous
species of large predatory sharks that belong to the Lamnidae family.
● Over 400 million years have passed since the beginning of these sharks' evolutionary
history, with the Devonian epoch marking the appearance of the earliest shark
species in the fossil record.
● The Lamnidae family has changed significantly over time, acquiring novel hunting
techniques to catch prey and adapting to shifting environmental conditions.
● As the top predators in modern marine ecosystems, Lamnidae sharks are essential
to preserving the harmony of these intricate systems.
● In this talk, we'll delve into the intriguing world of Lamnidae sharks and follow their
evolutionary path from primitive ancestors to contemporary predators.
Introduction
● The family Lamnidae includes the huge, predatory sharks that make up the Lamniformes
order.
● Eight species of sharks still exist in the family, including some of the most recognizable and
iconic ones, such the great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias), the shortfin mako (Isurus
oxyrinchus), and the longfin mako (Isurus paucus).
● Sharks of the Lamnidae family can be found in both coastal and pelagic areas throughout the
world's oceans, from the Arctic to the Antarctic.
● The Lamnidae family is known for its huge, streamlined body, strong jaws, and pointed, blade-
like teeth.
● As the top predators in marine ecosystems, these sharks eat a wide range of prey, such as
fish, squid, and marine mammals.
● Some of the first members of the Lamnidae family first appeared in the fossil record during the
Cretaceous period, some 100 million years ago. The family has a long evolutionary history.
Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Subclass: Elasmobranchii
Superorder: Selachimorpha
Order: Lamniformes
Family: Lamnidae
● The Lamnidae family contains eight extant species, which are grouped into five
genera:
Alopias, Cetorhinus, Carcharodon, Isurus, and Lamna.
Evolution
Common traits include:

● massive size
● simplified body type
● Strong jaws and teeth Rapid metabolism

Evolution:

● Traits have changed during millions of years of evolution.

● driven by rivalry, prey adaptations, and alterations in the environment
● These traits' development for effective predation was promoted by natural selection.
Çabej, N. (2012). Epigenetic principles of evolution.
Elsevier.
Form and function
Structural adaptations
Physical characteristics known as structural adaptations enable an organism to
survive in its environment.
Lamnidae family examples
Examples in Lamnidae family
● Great White Shark Carcharodon carcharias
● strong teeth with serrations for ripping and biting prey
● streamline your body for more effective swimming.
Salmon shark (Lamna ditropis)
● Colors that are counter-shaded to mix in with the water column
● Fat layers and thicker skin for insulation in colder waters
Behavioral Adaptations
The acts or behaviors that help an organism thrive in its environment are
known as behavioral adaptations.
Lamnidae family examples:
● Shark with a short fin (Isurus oxyrinchus)
● swimming quickly to pursue prey
● the act of jumping out of the water to avoid predators or remove parasites
Bigeye Thresher Shark (Alopias superciliosus):
● Swinging tails, to stun or immobilize prey
● Behavior of a group hunting to corral and catch fish
Physiological Adaptations
Changes to an organism's internal systems that enable it to survive in its
environment are known as physiological adaptations.
Lamnidae family examples:
Basking Shark (Cetorhinus maximus)
● for filter-feeding on plankton, large rakers on the gills.
● the capacity to conserve and reuse urea in order to keep the osmotic balance of
bodily tissues
Ancient White Shark (Carcharodon hubbelli)
● teeth designed specifically to break and grind hard-shelled prey
● in cooler waters, increased metabolic rate for endothermic thermoregulation
Evolution in family Lamnidae
The Three Observations of Darwin
● Genetic diversity refers to the heritable variance in qualities.
● Resources are limited, including those for food and shelter.
● Overpopulation occurs when more children are born than can reproduce.
Three observations
Observation 1:There is genetic diversity among individuals within a community, and many
qualities are inherited.
In connection with Lamnidae: Members of the Lamnidae family exhibit genetic variation in features
like body size, tooth shape, and color. These characteristics are heritable, which means that
children can inherit them from their parents. Although the environment in which they reside has
influenced the evolution of adaptations suited to their habitat, this genetic diversity resulted from
random mutations.
Observation 2:The availability of food and resources is constrained.
In the oceanic settings where the Lamnidae family thrives, there are few food sources, such as
prey fish. Due to the increased struggle for resources, those with features that make them better
equipped to catch prey are favored. These adaptations might be behavioral, like hunting tactics, or
structural, such changes in body size and tooth shape.
Observation 3: More offspring are born per generation.
Regarding Lamnidae: Members of the Lamnidae family give birth to numerous
offspring, although not all will live to breed. An individual will be more fit and more
likely to live and reproduce if they possesses beneficial features, such as the
ability to catch prey or evade predators. This helps the Lamnidae family evolve
over time by increasing the prevalence of beneficial, heritable features in the
population.
Reference
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Murray.

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