Centrophorus squamosus (Bonnaterre, 1788)
Leafscale gulper shark
photo by Cambraia Duarte, P.M.N. (c)ImagDOP

Family:  Centrophoridae (Gulper sharks)
Max. size:  164 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 145 - 2400 m
Distribution:  Atlantic, Indian, west and southeast Pacific Oceans.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 2-2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 0-0. A large gulper shark with a short, broad snout, a long, low 1st dorsal fin, short pectoral rear tips, and large, rough, leaf-like denticles (Ref. 5578). Dark grey or chocolate brown in color (Ref. 5578).
Biology:  Found on or near the bottom of continental slopes; also found pelagically in the upper 1,250 m of water 4,000 m deep (Ref. 31367). Presumably feeds on fish and cephalopods (Ref. 6871). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 50449). Utilized and fishmeal and dried salted for human consumption (Ref. 247); meat and fins (low value) and liver oil (very high value), and occasionally for its mature eggs (Ref.58048).
IUCN Red List Status: Endangered (EN); Date assessed: 22 November 2019 (A2bd) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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