The Slender Gulper shark (Centrophorus sp. B) is a species of shark belonging to the family Centrophoridae. This species is known from 5 specimens taken off of the Bahamas by Ron Schatman. This species hasn’t yet been scientifically described and given a species name.
Family: Centrophoridae – Gulper Sharks
Genus: Centrophorus
Species: sp. B
Phylum– Chordata
Class– Chondrichthyles
Subclass– Elasmobranchii
Common Name– Dogfish Sharks
Family– Centrophoridae
Common Name– Gulpher Sharks
Genus– Centrophorus
Species– sp. B
Status: IUCN Red List NOT EVALUATED
Average Size and Length: A mature female Slender Gulper shark has been recorded at 100 cm (3.3 feet), and the longest so far at 105 cm (3.5 feet).
Average Weight: The mature female Slender Gulper shark was recorded at 4.7 kg (10.4 pounds). Another mature female was recorded at 7.4 kg (16.3 pounds).
Current Rare Mythical Sightings: Cat Island, Bahamas.
Teeth and Jaw: The teeth in the upper jaw differ than the teeth in the lower jaw. The upper teeth have triangular, narrow and smooth-edged cusps that become increasingly oblique toward the corners of the mouth. The lower teeth are larger and have oblique, smooth-edged cusps notched on their outer margins and interlocking bases.
Head: The snout of the Slender Gulper shark is long, flat and somewhat slender. The eyes are large and green, and are much closer to the tip of the snout than the first gill slit.
Denticles: The dermal denticles are wide-spaced and do not overlap. They are almost leaf-shaped to block-shaped.
Tail: There is a shallow notch in the postventral caudal fin margins of the adults. The lower lobe appears long.
Demographic, Distribution, Habitat, Environment and Range: The five specimens of the Slender Gulper shark have been recorded off the Bahamas. One particular location is Cat Island. The full range of the Slender Gulper shark is not yet known; we do not know how far around the Caribbean this shark spans.
Diet: Unknown.
Ram-Suction Index: Not evaluated.
Aesthetic Identification: The Slender Gulper shark is brown to grey-brown dorsally, and lighter ventrally. The fin webs are dusky. The tips of the fins are darker than the body, and the tips of the dorsal fins and caudal fins have a white lining. The interdorsal space is much longer than the length of the head. The anterior margin of the pectoral fins is as long as the distance from the tip of the snout to the spiracle. The first dorsal fin is long and high. The second dorsal fin is not quite as high as the first. The second dorsal fin originates over the rear margin of the pectoral fins. Both dorsal fins have spines. The rear pectoral fin tips are narrow, angular and elongated. There is no anal fin.
Biology and Reproduction: Unknown, but presumably ovoviviparous.
Behavioral Traits, Sensing and Intelligence: Unknown.
Speed: Unknown.
Shark Future and Conservation: No data yet to evaluate this shark.
Shark Recorded Attacks on Humans: Not a threat to humans.
Reference: Castro, J. (2010). The sharks of north america. Oxford University Press.