The Minigulper shark (Centrophorus sp. A) is a not yet described shark belonging to the family Centrophoridae. It is one of the smaller sharks of its genus. The Minigulper has been recorded in the Atlantic and Caribbean.
Family: Centrophoridae – Gulper Sharks
Genus: Centrophorus
Species: sp. A
Phylum– Chordata
Class– Chondrichthyles
Subclass– Elasmobranchii
Common Name– Dogfish Sharks
Family– Centrophoridae
Common Name– Gulpher Sharks
Genus– Centrophorus
Species– sp. A
Status: IUCN Red List NOT YET EVALUATED
Average Size and Length: Mature adults have been recorded between 2.5-3.1 feet, and the maximum recorded has been 3.3 feet.
Teeth and Jaw: The teeth in both jaws differ. The teeth in the lower jaw are broader than upper and are blade-like without cusplets. Tooth rows: upper: 36-39 rows; lower: 32-33 rows.
Head: The snout of the Minigulper is long and slender. The snout length is greater than mouth width. There are short anterior nasal flaps. The eyes are large and positioned closer to the snout tip than the first gill slit.
Denticles: The skin has low, block-like, non-overlapping dermal denticles. There are no pedicels. They are angular rhomboidal crowns with medial cusps and a posterior thorn-like extension.
Tail: The caudal fin is long. There is a well-developed sub-terminal notch and a moderately developed ventral lobe.
Demographic, Distribution, Habitat, Environment and Range: The Minigulper has been recorded from the northern Gulf of Mexico and off of the Bahamas. They may also occur elsewhere in the Caribbean, but so far this hasn’t been confirmed. They can be found over continental shelves and slopes between 164-4,593 feet, but prefer to stay between 656-1,970 feet.
Diet: They feed on squid and fish.
Aesthetic Identification: The Minigulper shark is grey-brown above and lighter in color underneath. It has a small but long body. There are five gill slits equal in size. There are two dorsal fins, nearly equal in size. Both have grooved spines. The distance between the dorsal fins are equal to the distance from the snout to the axil of the pectoral fin. The origin of the first dorsal fin is posterior to axil of the pectoral fin. The pectoral fin has expanded free rear margins. The pelvic fins are positioned well in the back and they are anterior to the second dorsal fin. There is no anal fin.
Biology and Reproduction: They are thought to be ovoviviparous with at least 1 pup per litter, but this is not yet confirmed.
Behavioral Traits, Sensing and Intelligence: Unknown.
Minigulper Shark Future and Conservation: Not enough data to evaluate.
Minigulper Shark Recorded Attacks on Humans: Not a threat to humans.