Question

Scoliodon is called dogfish because of its
A. Carnivorous nature
B. Mouth
C. Power of smell
D. Gait

Answer 1

Hint: There are many types of fishes in biodiversity. They have different features in terms of morphology or anatomy. Sometimes their resemblance to some other animal gives them another name which becomes their common name. The fishes are cartilaginous and bony. Cartilaginous fishes have jaws.

Complete answer:
Scoliodon is a cartilaginous fish. It belongs to class Chondrocytes. It is a marine aquatic shark. It is a fast swimmer due to the spindle-shaped body. It has placoid scales made of exoskeleton.
Option A: Carnivorous nature: Scoliodon is carnivores and viviparous. But the many sharks are carnivores so this is not any distinguishing feature of them which matched with dogs.
Option B: Mouth: Its mouth is on the ventral side. It has snout (protruded mouth and nose) like that of a dog, not the mouth. The snout is the mouth and nose of an animal.
Option C: Power of smell: This power helps to find the food. The dog is known to have a great smell power so the fish name is dogfish in the aspect of its strong-smelling power.
Option D: Gait: It tells us about the movement of the animal. The dog being a land animal walks on feet whereas the scoliodon is an aquatic animal.

So the answer is option C: Power of smell.

Note: Scoliodon is found in the Bay of Bengal. It is an Indo-Pacific species. It belongs to the family Carcharhinidae. Its scientific name is Squalus acanthias. Its eggs are eaten in some areas of the world, they are like chicken eggs but taste like fish. They can grow up to 40 inches with a life span of about 40 years.