Western gulper shark

📖 Overview

Western gulper shark (Centrophorus westraliensis) is a ray-finned fish of the family Centrophoridae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters. This species can reach a maximum total length of 90.9 cm. It occurs at depths between 616 and 750 metres. With a trophic level of 4.3, it is an apex predator. It is assessed as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

This moderate-sized species has the following set of adult characters: length of pre-second dorsal 63.8-64.9% TL, 8.8-9.7 times dorsal-caudal space; length of pre-first dorsal 31.3-32.7% TL; interdorsal space 20.3-21.5% TL, 2.8-3.1 times dorsal-caudal space; dorsal-caudal space 6.7-7.3% TL, 4.4-4.9 in pectoral-pelvic space; long and moderately robust head, its length 23.2-24.7% TL, 3.1- 3.2 times mouth width, its width 11.7–12.8% TL, 5.1-5.5 in pre-second dorsal length; width at anterior of nostrils 7.1-7.6% TL; long snout, its preoral length 10.9-12.4% TL, 2.0-2.2 times head height at anterior of mouth, 1.4-1.6 times mouth width; horizontal preorbital length 7.0-7.8% TL; horizontal prenarial length 4.5-4.9% TL; moderately large mouth, its width 7.6–7.8% TL; large pectoral fin, its anterior margin 12.9-14.2% TL, 2.6-2.8 times base length; large caudal fin, its dorsal caudal margin 17.4-20.2% TL; 2.6-2.9 times dorsal-caudal space; moderately-sized first dorsal fin, its height 5.5-6.4% TL, with relatively robust spine, its base width 1.1-1.2% TL; 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 which is usually still apparent in fresh specimens and with white blotch restricted to a narrow white posterior margin which can be indistinct in larger preserved specimens; females and an immature male with upper teeth strongly oblique, similar in shape, but much smaller than lower teeth; 38/29.teeth count in holotype; adults with flank denticles flat, not overlapping, with scalloped edges; 112-117 (mean 115.3) total vertebral centra; 55-57 (55.8) monospondylous precaudal centra; 29-33 (31) diplospondylous precaudal centra; 85-88 (86.8) precaudal centra; 27-30 (28.5) diplospondylous caudal centra .: elongated.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Western gulper shark is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 616 - 750 m . Tropical Indian Ocean: Western Australia.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

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