Hexanchiform Sharks Retain Primitive Anatomical Traits Lost by Most Modern Sharks

This massive shark still carries features abandoned by faster predators.

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The order Hexanchiformes includes both sixgill and seven-gill shark species.

Sixgill sharks retain primitive characteristics such as six gill slits and a single dorsal fin positioned far back on the body. Most modern shark groups evolved different configurations over millions of years.

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These retained traits are not evolutionary flaws but successful adaptations to deep, low-energy environments where speed is less critical than efficiency and stealth.

The sixgill demonstrates that evolution does not always favor change. In stable extreme habitats, ancient blueprints can outlast more specialized designs.

Source

Florida Museum of Natural History

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