Morphology of the Lateralis Canal System in the Shark Genus Carcharhinus

Abstract

The sensory canal system of elasmobranchs has been studied by several early workers. Garman (1888) described the gross morphology of the system in several species of sharks and rays. A detailed account of the morphology and innervation of the sensory canals was given by Ewart (1891) for the shark, Laemargus, and by Ewart and Mitchell (1891) for the skate, Raia batis. Johnson (1917) described the structure and development of the lateral canals of the sharks, Mustelus canis and Squalus acanthias, and Norris and Hughes (1920) provided detailed information on the innervation of the head and lateral canals in the same two species.