Superphylum Deuterostomia Grobben, 1908 - deuterostomes see Infrakingdom Deuterostomia Grobben, 1908
   Phylum Chordata Bateson, 1885 - chordates
     Subphylum Craniata auct. see Subphylum Vertebrata Cuvier, 1812
       Vertebrata (Lamarck, 1801) - vertebrates see Subphylum Vertebrata Cuvier, 1812
         Myopterygii - myopterygians
           Superclass Gnathostomata Gegenbaur, 1874 - jawed vertebrates
             Grade Chondrichthiomorphi
               Class Chondrichthyes Huxley, 1880 - cartilaginous fishes
                 Subclass Elasmobranchii Bonaparte, 1838 - shark-like fishes
                   Infraclass Euselachii Hay, 1902 - sharks and rays, and related fossils
                     Division Neoselachii Compagno, 1977
                       Subdivision Selachii - sharks
                         Superorder Galeomorphi (Compagno, 1973)
                           Order Orectolobiformes Compagno, 1973 - carpet sharks
                             Suborder Orectoloboidei Applegate, 1974
                               Family Rhincodontidae Müller & Henle, 1841 - whale sharks
                                 Genus Rhincodon Smith, 1828
                                   Rhincodon typus Smith, 1828 - whale shark