Revised 16 Nov. 2022
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Alopias Rafinesque 1810 from alṓpēx (Gr. ἀλώπηξ), fox, referring to the ancient vernacular “fox shark,” from its long (and therefore fox-like) tail

Alopias pelagicus Nakamura 1935 from pelágios (Gr. πελάγιος), “of the sea,” referring to its “living in the upper layer of the sea,” in contrast to A. profundus [=superciliosus], which Nakamura believed dwelled on the “sea-bottom”)

Alopias superciliosus (Lowe 1840) super (L.), over and above; ciliosus (L.), haughty or having a raised eyebrow, referring to enormous upwardlooking eyes set high on head and/or marked groove over eyes

Alopias vulpinus (Bonnaterre 1788) Latin for fox-like, referring to its long (and therefore fox-like) tail