Centrophoridae are a family of squaliform sharks. The family contains just two genera and approximately 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 Centrophorus 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 dogs, ranging from 79 centimetres (2.59 ft) to 164 centimetres (5.38 ft) in larvae body length. The members of the genus Deania generally have a long flattened snout.

Centrophorus acus

Centrophorus harrissoni

Centrophorus squamosus

Deania calcea

Genera

There are eighteen known species, grouped into two genera:^[1]

• Centrophorus J. P. Müller & Henle, 1837
  • Centrophorus acus Garman, 1906. (Needle dogfish)
  • Centrophorus atromarginatus Garman, 1913. (Dwarf gulper shark)
  • Centrophorus granulosus (Bloch & J. G. Schneider, 1801). (Gulper shark)
  • Centrophorus harrissoni McCulloch, 1915 (Dumb gulper shark)
  • Centrophorus isodon (Y. T. Chu, Q. W. Meng & J. X. Liu, 1981) (Blackfin gulper shark)
  • Centrophorus lusitanicus Barbosa du Bocage & Brito Capello, 1864 (Lowfin gulper shark)
  • Centrophorus moluccensis Bleeker, 1860 (Smallfin gulper shark)
  • Centrophorus niaukang Teng, 1959 (Taiwan gulper shark)
  • Centrophorus robustus S. M. Deng, G. Q. Xiong & H. X. Zhan, 1985
  • Centrophorus seychellorum Baranes, 2003
  • Centrophorus squamosus (Bonnaterre, 1788) (Leafscale gulper shark)
  • Centrophorus tessellatus Garman, 1906 (Mosaic gulper shark)
  • Centrophorus westraliensis W. T. White, Ebert & Compagno, 2008 (Western gulper shark)
  • Centrophorus zeehaani W. T. White, Ebert & Compagno, 2008 (Southern dogfish)
  • Centrophorus sp. A (Minigulper)
  • Centrophorus sp. B (Slender Gulper)
• Deania D. S. Jordan & Snyder, 1902
  • Deania calcea (R. T. Lowe, 1839) (Birdbeak dogfish)
  • Deania hystricosa (Garman, 1906) (Rough longnose dogfish)
  • Deania profundorum (H. M. Smith & Radcliffe, 1912) (Arrowhead dogfish)
  • Deania quadrispinosum (McCulloch, 1915) (Longsnout dogfish)

References

Sharks portal