In the thoracic region the intervertebral discs are relatively thin with respect to the vertebral bodies, and together with the presence of the ribs and sternum, their movement is limited.
The spiny dogfish, spurdog, mud shark, or piked dogfish, Squalus acanthias, is one of the best known species of the Squalidae (dogfish) family of sharks, which is part of the Squaliformes order.hile these common names may apply to several species, Squalus acanthias is distinguished by having two spines (one anterior to each dorsal fin) and lacks an anal fin. It is found mostly in shallow waters and further offshore in most parts of the world, especially in temperate waters.
Other members of the spiny dogfish family are found in deep water. The smooth dogfish (Mustelis canis) is found on the Atlantic coast of America from Brazil to Cape Cod. It is gray in color and grows to a length of about 5 ft (150 cm).