Revised 17 Nov. 2022
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Carcharias Rafinesque 1810 from kárcharos (Gr. κάρχαρος), saw-like or jagged, referring to its teeth
Carcharias taurus Rafinesque 1810 Latin for bull, from Pesce Tauro, local name for this shark in Sicily, Italy, type locality
Carcharias tricuspidatus Day 1878 tri-, from tres (L.), three; cuspidatus (L.), pointed, i.e. tricuspid, referring to how “awl-shaped” teeth have a “small basal cusp” (or cusplet) on both sides of smooth main cusp [possibly a junior synonym of C. taurus]