FAO Species Identification Guide for Fishery Purposes Western

1218 Sharks
20a. Upper teeth relatively broad and low-cusped, the lowers low and wide (Fig. 26);
dorsal-fin spines prominent and strong; origin of first dorsal-fin spine over or just
posterior to inner margins of pectoral fins; inner corners of pectoral fins angular or
greatly elongated (Fig. 26b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Centrophorus) → 21
20b. Upper teeth lanceolate and high; dorsal-fin spines very small, the first dorsal spine well
posterior to pectoral fin tips; inner corners of pectoral fins short and broadly rounded
on their posterior ends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . → 27
21a. Dermal denticles on sides of body with leaf-like, overlapping crowns on elevated narrow
pedicels extending above the denticle bases, and with 3 or more medial and lateral cusps
on their posterior ends. (Fig. 27) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Centrophorus squamosus
21b. Dermal denticles on sides of body with flat sessile, not overlapping crowns atop the
denticle bases, without separate pedicels and with or without a posterior medial cusp
(Fig. 28) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . → 22
upper and lower teeth
dermal denticles
high
pedicel
Fig. 26 Centrophorus Fig. 27 Centrophorus squamosus
no high
pedicel
a) Centrophorus moluccensis b) Centrophorus lusitanicus
Fig. 28 dermal denticles
c) Centrophorus granulosus
22a. Second dorsal fin very small, 1/2 height of first dorsal fin or less, with spine origin usually
well posterior to pelvic fin rear tips (Fig. 29). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Centrophorus moluccensis
22b. Second dorsal fin larger, nearly or quite as high than first dorsal fin, with spine origin
usually over pelvic fin inner margins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . → 23
23a. Snout elongated and narrow, preoral length greater than width of head at mouth (Fig. 30)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Centrophorus isodon
23b. Snout shorter and broadly parabolic, preoral length less than width of head at mouth . . . . . → 24
(occurrence in the area uncertain)
Fig. 29 Centrophorus moluccensis Fig. 30 Centrophorus isodon