Rhinodontidæ (rinodontide)

pl. [NL., Rhinodon ( t- ) + -idæ .] A family of selachians, typified by the genus Rhinodon; the whale sharks. There are two dorsals, neither with spines, and a pit at the root of the caudal fin, whose lower lobe is well developed; the sides of the tail are keeled; there are no nictitating membranes; the spiracles are very small, the teeth small and many, the gill-slits wide, and the mouth and nostrils subterminal. Besides R. typic us the family contains Micristodus punctatus of California.