What shark species has the scientific name Prionace glauca?

The shark species with the scientific name Prionace glauca is the blue shark.

The name places the species in the genus Prionace and identifies glauca as its species name. It is the only living species in its genus and belongs to the requiem shark family, Carcharhinidae. The common name refers to its deep blue upper body, which contrasts with a pale underside.

Blue sharks are open-ocean swimmers found in temperate and tropical waters worldwide. They are streamlined and long-distance migrants; some travel between regions such as New England and South America. Their average length is about 3.1 metres, though larger individuals occur. They feed mainly on small fish and squid.

A common mix-up is confusing the blue shark with the great blue shark as a separate species: “great blue shark” is simply another common name. Blue sharks also differ reproductively from egg-laying species because they are viviparous, giving birth to live young. Litters may range from roughly 25 to more than 100 pups.