Centrophoridae

Gulper sharks
Longsnout dogfish (Deania quadrispinosum)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Subclass: Elasmobranchii
Division: Selachii
Order: Squaliformes
Family: Centrophoridae
Bleeker, 1859
Genera

Centrophorus
Deania

The Centrophoridae are a family of squaliform sharks. The family contains just two genera and about 15 species. They are sometimes called gulper sharks, but this is also the name of a specific species in the family, Centrophorus granulosus. These are generally deepwater fish. While some, such as the gulper shark C. granulosus, are found worldwide and fished commercially, others are uncommon and little-known. Their usual prey is other fish; some are known to feed on squid, octopus, and shrimp. Some species live on the bottom (benthic), while others are pelagic. They are ovoviviparous, with the female retaining the egg-cases in her body until they hatch.[1]

They are small to medium sharks, ranging from 79 to 164 cm (2.59 to 5.38 ft) in adult body length. The members of the genus Deania generally have a long flattened snout.

Gulper shark (Centrophorus granulosus)
Dumb gulper shark (Centrophorus harrissoni)
Leafscale gulper shark (Centrophorus squamosus)
Birdbeak dogfish (Deania calcea)

Species

The 18 known species are grouped into two genera:[1]

References

  1. ^ a b Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Family Centrophoridae". FishBase. January 2009 version.
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