Among all sharks, this species stands out for its unusual appearance characterized by a prominent snout. It is the only living member of the Mitsukurinidae family, and it is often called a “living fossil” since its ancestry goes back to the Cretaceous period and it keeps such primitive characteristics.
It was given a scientific name in honor of two people who collaborated in its discovery in the late nineteenth century: Kakichi Mitsukuri and Alan Owston. It belongs to the order Lamniformes and the genus Mitsukurina.