The dwarf gulper shark is a dogfish living in the Indo-Pacific oceans.
Dwarf Gulper Shark Scientific Classification |
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| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Chondrichthyes |
| Order | Squaliformes |
| Family | Centrophoridae |
| Genus | Centrophorus |
| Scientific Name | C. atromarginatus |
Description
Male dwarf gulper sharks are 1.3 ft long, while females reach 1.4 ft long. One can observe rows of blade-like teeth in both jaws of the shark, though those in the upper jaw tend to be smaller than the teeth in the lower jaw.
These sharks are smooth to the touch. They have angular, elongated pectoral fins and two dorsal fins that have spines with large grooves. The 1st dorsal fin is larger than the 2nd one.
Dorsally, these sharks appear grey or brown-grey, while they are much lighter ventrally. There are prominent black markings on most of its fins, with some sharks having markings on all their fins.
Where do they live
Map Of The Dwarf Gulper Shark’s Habitat
The dwarf gulper shark swims throughout the Indo-Pacific, with sightings in the Gulf of Aden, Japan, Taiwan, and northern Papua New Guinea.
Their depth range is between 492 and 1476 feet. They have commonly been spotted near and on the outer continental and insular shelves.
Behavior
Feeding
They most likely consume bony fish, cephalopods, and crustaceans.
Reproductive
It is most likely ovoviviparous, though this is yet to be confirmed. At birth, newborn sharks are 11.8 to 13 inches long.
Interactions with humans
The oil produced by this shark’s liver contains Squalene. As a result, this shark is heavily fished for this resource, causing the IUCN to classify it as “Critically Endangered” or “CR”.
