Inventário de arcadas de tubarões de uma coleção científica regional e estimativa do comprimento total dos indivíduos

Abstract

Zoological collections constitute important repositories of biological information, playing a fundamental role in documenting biodiversity, developing scientific research, and training human resources. Among the materials preserved in these collections, shark dental arches stand out for their high scientific value, due to their structural resistance, morphological diversity, and taxonomic relevance. This study aimed to catalog and describe the shark dental arches deposited in the Dias da Rocha Ichthyological Collection (CIDRO) at the Federal University of Ceará. Seventy-four dental arches belonging to at least 14 shark species were analyzed, encompassing representatives of the orders Hexanchiformes, Orectolobiformes, Lamniformes, and Carcharhiniformes. The jaws were examined for general morphology; for each specimen, the dental formula was determined, and measurements of the perimeter of the upper and lower jaws were obtained, in addition to obtaining morphometric data, including measurements of interdental distance and bite circumference, used for total length estimates when possible. The results highlight the high taxonomic diversity represented in the collection, as well as the importance of dental arches as diagnostic structures and materials of high curatorial value. The organization and standardization of the information presented contribute to expanding the scientific potential of CIDRO, strengthening its role as a reference collection for studies on the diversity and dental morphology of sharks off the coast of Ceará.