1. Habit and habitat: Pristis is found in warm marine waters. It often ascends in rivers. It is predaceous, feeds on fishes and other marine animals by slashing them with its saw-like minute teeth.
2. Pristis is commonly known as saw-fish.
3. Body is shark-like , elongated , depressed and divided into head , trunk and tail. It may attain a considerable length of 3-6 meters.
4. Head and skull prolonged into a long flattened rostrum, the lateral margins of which are provided with a series of strong tooth - like denticles giving it the appearance of a saw.
5. Mouth is ventral. Spiracles are present behind the eyes on the dorsal surface of head.
6. Dorsal fins are large, the first dorsal fin is opposite to the pelvic fin. Second dorsal fin is called adipose fin. Paired fins are pectorals and pelvics.
7. Tail is well-developed and terminating in heterocercal caudal fin.
8. The fish is invaluable for liver oil of high vitamin value and skin for scale boards.
Source:
1. Practical Zoology Vertebrates by S.S.Lal. 2. A Manual of Practical Zoology Chordates by Dr. P.S. Verma.
