Genus Pristis Linck, 1790

Type species. Squalus pristis Linnaeus, 1758 (by monotypy, absolute tautonymy).

Description. Nostrils very short and well separated, width less than or subequal to internasal distance; posterior aperture relatively short, broadly scythe-shaped, not markedly oblique to anterior aperture. Anterior nasal flaps distinctly bilobed, well developed, not fused to form a nasal curtain, rather short based with point of insertion often unclear (joined variably along nostril margin beyond midlength of posterior aperture); anterior aperture mediumsized, subcircular and well removed from lateral margin of head, posterior edge formed by well-developed, outer lobe-like extension of anterior nasal flap (positioned anteriorly and reaching across aperture); lateral and posterior margins of anterior aperture bordered by long, medium-width posterolateral nasal flap; posterolateral nasal flap extending posteromedially as a broad free lobe (almost to corner of posterior aperture of nostril), its tip recurved ventrally; posterior nasal flap variably developed, width often narrower than posterolateral nasal flap but base relatively long (about half of nostril width or more). Lower jaw straight to weakly convex; skin margin forming upper lip concave; lateral grooves short, few to many, directed anteriorly from mouth angle; no oral groove, weak groove sometimes on chin.

Species. P. clavata Garman, 1906, P. pectinata Latham, 1794, P. pristis (Linnaeus, 1758), P. zijsron Bleeker, 1851.