Subclass Elasmobranchii Bonaparte, 1838 - shark-like fishes see Infraclass Elasmobranchii Bonaparte, 1838
   Cohort Euselachii Hay, 1902 - spined sharks and relatives see Subclass Euselachii Hay, 1902
     Subcohort Neoselachii Compagno, 1977 - modern sharks and rays see Infraclass Elasmobranchii Bonaparte, 1838
       Order Orectolobiformes Compagno, 1973 - carpet sharks
         Family Rhincodontidae Müller & Henle, 1841 - whale sharks
           Genus Rhincodon Smith, 1829
             Rhincodon typus (Smith, 1828) - whale shark