The Sandy Grapshark

Order: Xenoselachia

Family: Harpactoselachidae

Genus: Harpactoselachus

One of the most noteworthy predators of Alladoras are the grapsharks, or harpactoselachids. Evolved to fulfil the niche of apex predators, much like various species of lamnid sharks, they innovated various adaptations. The most common species of grapshark is the sandy grapshark, which predominantly lives in carpgrass prairies and reefs, and is relatively quite large, at 4 metres in length. Among pelagys, their elongated body shape is considered unusual for pelagys, which typically swim using their pectoral fins. This is an adaptation to carangiform swimming, in which it undulates its tail and one half of the ophistoma (read the anatomy page if you don't know these terms) while keeping the remainder of its body relatively still. To aid in this, grapsharks possess a caudal pecundle to stiffen the tail even further. This swimming style can grant extreme acceleration, at the cost of manoeuvrability. This allows for rapid chases across wide open water, which allows for efficient capture of prey. Alas, this is not the grapshark's only strength.

By far their most unique feature are their raptorial mandibles. The size differs between species, but in the sandy grapshark, it can reach lengths of up to half their head. This strange feature of their skulls allows for capture of prey through rapid strikes. These mandibles can operate separately and work together to procure flesh from bone. They are also extremely flexible, with the lower pair having a limited capability to move 20˚ inwards, and the upper mandibles having a maximum extension of 18˚ outwards. The sandy grapshark's mandibles are typical of the clade, being quite stocky and well adapted to grasp corpses and rip flesh off bone, with a piercing tooth at the end of the mandible with serrated teeth following it. The sandy grapshark often hunts large prey items, such as gallantees and sweepswimmers. Its mottled and striped colouration allows it to stalk its prey, and then striking. More often than not, its prey escapes, but for those that have been caught by the predator, is in a very dangerous situation. Grapsharks will often pierce the skin and flesh into major blood vessels. After this it will hold the prey using the lower mandibles, and slice off flesh using its upper pair in order to feed. A more common scenario involves the grapshark managing to capture and severely injure its prey, but it eventually escapes. Sandy grapsharks in particular typically let their prey escape and let them bleed. Their keen olfaction can quickly hone in on bleeding or weakened prey in a matter of minutes.

The last feature of the grapsharks is their intelligence. Capable of problem solving, which is displayed in their behaviours. Sandy grapsharks often grab a stick and drag it on the seafloor to grab small "invertebrates", in which they use to lure in prey after sticking onto the ground. Older individuals also memorise hunting tactics and migration patterns of certain herbivores. A major migration event is the movement of greater sweepswimmers to the aethergrove forests of the south, in which grapsharks and aeunas often group together to capture weakened females and oblivious males. 

The sandy grapshark itself also participates in their own migrations, in which they move towards their birthplace in order to breed, which is called natal philopatry. Strangely, sandy grapsharks always head to their exact birthplace to breed, no matter where they are. It is speculated that they memorise oceanic landmarks, Alladoras's geomagnetism and pattern of the sun and moon.