Whaler Sharks - seafdec.org.my

40 S h a r k s a n d R a y s o f B o r n e o
Smallfin Gulper Shark
Centrophorus moluccensis Bleeker, 1860
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Other names: Endeavour Dogfish (English), Hiu Botol Danten, Hiu Taji, Hiu Senget,
Cucut Botol (Indonesian), Yu Minyak (Malaysian)
Identifying features:
1 pectoral-fin free rear tip greatly extended
2 snout relatively short and broadly rounded (when viewed ventrally)
3 2 nd dorsal fin relatively small, half or less height of 1 st dorsal; both fins with short
spines
4 origin of 2 nd dorsal fin well posterior to pelvic-fin free tips
5 dermal denticles flat and sessile, not elevated on pedicels
6 teeth of upper and lower jaws differing in shape
Size: To at least 100 cm; males and females mature at about 70 and 85 cm respectively;
born at about 33 cm.
Distribution: Widespread in the Indo–West Pacific, from South Africa to Japan and
Australia.
Habitat and biology: Occurs near the bottom on the outer continental shelf and
upper slope at depths of 125–820 m. Viviparous, with yolk-sac dependency; gives
birth to litters of two pups every two years; gestation period unknown. Diet consists
primarily of bony fishes and cephalopods, but also elasmobranchs and crustaceans.
Utilisation: Caught infrequently by demersal longline in deepwater. Used for its meat
and fins (low value), and liver oil (very high value).
Conservation status: IUCN Red List: Data Deficient.
Local synonyms: None.
References: White & Dharmadi (2010).