Centrophorus harrissoni McCulloch, 1915
Dumb gulper shark
photo by FAO

Family:  Centrophoridae (Gulper sharks)
Max. size:  111.4 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 250 - 790 m
Distribution:  Eastern Indian Ocean: Western Australia. Southwest Pacific: New South Wales to Tasmania. Recorded in Norfolk Ridge, Three Kings Ridge amd Kermadec Ridge, extending the species eastern range (Ref. 89942). Record from Taiwan uncertain. This species is very close to Centrophorus uyato and may be a junior synonym of that species (Ref. 247).
Diagnosis:  A moderate-sized species distinguished by the following set of adult characters: length of pre-second dorsal 61.9-63.2% TL, 6.6-8.4 times the dorsal-caudal space; length of pre-first dorsal 30.4-32.0% TL; interdorsal space 18.2-20.6% TL, 2.2-2.6 times dorsal-caudal space; dorsal-caudal space 7.5-9.4% TL, 3.2-4.0 in pectoral-pelvic space; long and robust head, its length 22.4-24.6% TL, 2.7-3.0 times mouth width, its width 13.2-14.0% TL, 4.5-4.8 in pre-second dorsal length; width at anterior of nostrils 7.7-7.9% TL; long snout, its preoral length 11.4-12.4% TL, 2.0-2.2 times head height at anterior of mouth, 1.3-1.5 times mouth width, the horizontal preorbital length 7.1-8.2% TL, the horizontal prenarial length 4.4-5.4% TL; large mouth, its width 7.8-8.5% TL; moderately large pectoral fin, its anterior margin 11.9-12.4% TL, 2.3-2.4 times base length; large caudal fin, the dorsal caudal margin 19.1-19.5% TL; 2.1-2.5 times dorsal-caudal space; moderately large and tall first dorsal fin, its height 6.2-7.0% TL, with moderately robust spine, the base width 0.9-1.0% TL. The dorsal fins of juveniles have a distinct blackish oblique blotch anteriorly and a white blotch on the upper posterior margin; in adults a less distinct dark blotch, often apparent in fresh specimens and with a white blotch restricted to a narrow white posterior margin (occasionally indistinct in largest specimens). Adults with flank denticles flat, block-like, not overlapping, and crenulate. Females and immature males with upper teeth that are strongly oblique, similar in shape, but much smaller than lower teeth; in mature males upper teeth are erect, upright, becoming only slightly oblique laterally. 37-39/30 or 31 (n=3) tooth row count; 117-126 (mean 121.6, n=20) total vertebral centra; 53-59 (56.4, n=21) monospondylous precaudal centra; 29-37 (32.7, n=21) diplospondylous precaudal centra; 85-94 (89.1, n=21) precaudal centra (Ref. 76933).
Biology:  Found on the continental slope (Ref. 6871, 75154). Presumably ovoviviparous (Ref. 6871). Smallest mature male recorded at 82.5 cm TL (Ref. 76933). Longevity assumed to be high similar to close relative C. zeehaani with estimated longevity exceeding 46 yrs (Ref. 107026).
IUCN Red List Status: Endangered (EN); Date assessed: 21 November 2019 (A2bd) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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