The dentition of Centrophorus sp., a group of deep sea sharks

[Dino9876]

The genus Centrophorus sp. represents a very interesting group of sharks within the Centrophoridae (Squaliformes), which can be found up to about 3000m below the sea surface. The largest representatives of this group reach a body length of 170cm.
Not only because the sharks of this group are among my favorite sharks, but also because fossil finds of this species are extremely rare, I decided to write about this topic and compare fossil and recent Centrophorus species with each other, as well as collect the known information about them.

The modern genus Centrophorus has been repeatedly revised, rewritten, rearranged, species synonymized and added again in recent years, which makes it difficult to keep an overview. According to my count, the genus currently includes a maximum of 17 described species and is distributed in all deep-sea regions worldwide.

The 17 known modern Centrophorus species are:
C. acus (synonymous with C. granulosus according to White 2013, but still often considered independent), C. atromarginatus, C. granulosus, C. harrissoni, C. isodon, C. lesliei, C. longipinnis, C. lusitanicus (probably a cluster of different species), C. machiquensis (doubtful), C. moluccensis, C. niaukang (synonymous with C. granulosus according to White 2013, but still often considered independent), C. seychellorum, C. squamosus, C. tessellatus , C. uyato, C. westraliensis, C. zeehaani

 

The fossil records are limited to 3 species, Centrophorus granulosus, squamosus and primaevus. They appear from the late Cretaceous (Haumurian) or early Paleocene (Keyes, 1984).

It is possible to distinguish different species based on their teeth, but in many cases it is very difficult, especially without locality data and due to the lack of and contradictory information.
I would like to show you the teeth of 9 extant Centrophorus species from my collection and the 3 known fossil species.
I would particularly like to focus on their teeth, as they are almost the only thing that can be detected as fossils and also what is most likely to get from the recent species. Since my English is unfortunately not good enough to describe the tooth shape perfectly, I will let the pictures do this  

The tooth formula describes the number of teeth in the upper and lower jaw. I have summarized them myself from the literature for most of the species, since there were often different numbers to be found.

Centrophorus squamosus
Is one of the largest representatives of this group (up to approx. 170cm) and is distributed worldwide. It can be found down to a depth of 2400m.
The fossil record is currently limited to New Zealand (Keyes, 1984).

 

Tooth formula: 30-38 / 24-32

 

Keyes, 1984 (fossils, found at different localities in New Zealand):

 

 

 

Extant teeth/ jaw from my collection (35 / 30; 15x12cm):

  

 

Centrophorus primaevus
Extinct representative of this group (lived in the Late Cretaceous, Santonian). It is a relatively small representative with a body length of approx. 0.5m (previously known).

 

Tooth formula: Unknown

The fossils shown are from Lebanon (Kriwet & Klug, 2009):

 

Centrophorus granulosus
Also a large representative of this group (up to 170cm). The species is distributed worldwide, but not in the Mediterranean where it is replaced by C. uyato. It occurs to a depth of about 1500m.
The fossil records are currently limited to France (Ledoux, 1972).

 

Tooth formula: 36-43 / 28-32

 

Ledoux, 1972 (fossils from France):

 

Ebert & Dando, 2021:

 

 

My collection (39 / 30; 9x8cm):

  

 

However, most fossil Centrophorus teeth found in publications are not assigned to a specific species, but only as Centrophorus sp.. Here are a few sample images from various publications:

 

Mannering & Hiller, 2008 / Schutter & Wijnker, 2012:

 

 

Below I would like to post pictures of the remaining extant Centrophorus species. Unfortunately, for some species the information is very scarce and, as I said, often contradictory.

Edited March 10, 2023 by Dino9876

[Dino9876]

Centrophorus acus

Was originally listed as a separate species, but was synonymized with C. granulosus by White in 2013. Despite this clarification, the species C. acus is still used in some literature, which is why I leave it here for the sake of completeness. However, all identification features should be treated with caution, since different species may be misidentified as "C. acus” and summarized under this name.
In any case, it is a large species, possibly distributed worldwide. This species has so far been described from the western Pacific (Japan) and the Gulf of Mexico. Interestingly, the tooth shape given in the literature often differs from that of C. granulosus.

 

Tooth formula: 36-43 / 28-32

Shark References:

J-elasmo:

 

 

Centrophorus atromarginatus
A medium-sized (up to about 90cm) member of this group, native to the Indo-Pacific region. However, there is credible evidence that this species could be found throughout the Indian Ocean, to the east coast of Africa. The final proof is still pending, whereby this distribution according to Ebert et.al. 2021 is very likely.

 

Tooth formula: 34-42 / 29-30

J-elasmo:

My collection (38 / 30; 8x6,5cm):

  

 

 

Centrophorus harrisoni
A rare, medium-sized (110cm) member of this group, native only to the east coast of Australia and New Zealand. There is very little information about this species.

 

Tooth formula: 37-39 / 30-31

 

From the first description of McCulloch, 1915. No other pictures of the teeth found:

 

 

C. isodon
A medium-sized gulper shark (approx. 100cm) native to the western Pacific and eastern Indic ocean. There is almost no information about his tooth shape.

 

Tooth formula: 33-37 / 27-30

Adapted from Ebert et al. 2021:

 

C. lesliei
A small to medium-sized (up to 100cm) shark species, described in 2017, found off the coast of Africa. Previously, this species was confused with other gulper shark species.

 

Tooth formula: 33-42 / 29-31

White 2017:

My collection (40 / 29; 7x5cm):

  

 

 

C. longipinnis
This small to medium-sized (up to >90cm) shark species was described together with C. lesliei in 2017. It occurs in the Indo-Pacific region. The tooth shape strongly resembles that of C. moluccensis (described later).

 

Tooth formula: 38-43 / 29-31

White 2017:

My collection (39 / 31; 6x5cm):

  

 

 

C. lusitanicus
A taxonomically highly complicated shark species that has undergone a number of reclassifications. The short version: some authors list them as synonyms for other gulper sharks, some do not. The main problem is that this species appears to have been described from a number of different Centrophorus species and thus the information in the literature varies greatly. The same applies to the tooth shape.
In any case, it is a very large (up to 160cm) shark species that is distributed worldwide, if you summarize all the information. Again, please be careful when looking at the teeth, there could be several different species.

 

Tooth formula: 31-38 / 27-32

Bill Heim:

Bass et al., 1976:

My collection (38 / 28; 6,5x4cm):

  

 

Edited March 10, 2023 by Dino9876

[Dino9876]

C. machiquensis
A rare species of shark known only from Madeira (Atlantic). It is sometimes seen as synonymous with C. granulosus or C. uyato, but is factually valid. A medium-sized shark species (>100cm).

 

Tooth formula (holotype): 43 / 30

Maul, 1955:

 

C. moluccensis
A small to medium-sized (max. 100cm, mostly smaller) species of shark in this genus. It is very widespread from the West Indian to the East Pacific Ocean.

 

Tooth formula: 36-45 / 31-35

Bass et al., 1976:

Australian Museum:

 

 

My collection (37 / 31; 7x4,5cm):

  

 

 

Centrophorus niaukang
This species behaves exactly like C. acus. Unfortunately, since this species was originally described from Taiwan, all Gulper Sharks from there were cataloged under this name for a long time. Therefore, the data are not reliable here either. So please enjoy these photos with caution.

 

Tooth formula: 36-43 / 28-32

FAO Fisheries department:

My collection (39 / 31; 8x4cm):

 

 

Centrophorus seychellorum
A very rare species of shark known only from the Seychelles. The only shark species in this group that is not endangered or threatened with extinction.

 

Tooth formula: 32-33 / 29-30

Pictures from the first description (Baranes 2003), you can the sexual dimorphism between male (left) and female (right):

 

 

 

Centrophorus tessellatus
A medium-sized representative (up to 90cm) of this group. Known from the central and western Pacific Ocean, but probably more widespread. Possibly also in the Atlantic.

 

Tooth formula: 36?-42 / 31

J-elasmo:

 

 

Centrophorus uyato
A medium-sized (up to 110cm) representative of this group, distributed worldwide (also in the Mediterranean, in contrast to C. granulosus). Lives at depths of up to 1400m.

 

Tooth formula: 36-45 / 30-33

Bass et al., 1976:

Shark references:

My collection (38 / 31; 11x8cm):

  

 

 

Centrophorus westraliensis
A smaller representative (max. 90cm) of this group. Native only to Australia and the South East Indian ocean. Before the first description in 2008, the species was synonymized with C. harrisoni. Unfortunately, no details about the tooth shape have been published.

 

Tooth formula: 38 / 29

 

Centrophorus zeehaani
A medium-sized gulper shark species (approx. 100cm) that is native only to Australia, New Zealand and adjacent areas. It was described together with C. westraliensis in 2008.

 

Tooth formula: 37-45 / 30-33

Pictures from the first description (White et.al. 2008):

If you have fossil or recent Centrophorus teeth, I hope this summary will help you identify species, or at least narrow them down to a specific circle.

Not all teeth can be clearly assigned and even if you have a completejaw, it is often difficult.

Nevertheless, I hope that you were able to take away some interesting information from this post.

If you have any other interesting information about Gulper Sharks, feel free to share them

 

Edited March 10, 2023 by Dino9876

[Rock Hound]

Your post on this subject is extensive, to say the least.  

[MarcoSr]

Jesco

 

Very informative thread.  In addition to the lack of information, I've seen a lot of the contradictory information and how similar the dentitions can be, so I never really tried to ID an extant jaw to a species level for the Centrophorus genus.  I have a few things, that I believe are of interest, that I am adding below.

 

@Coco sent to me years ago a number of pieces of different species of shark and ray skin. Below is a closeup picture of a piece of  Centrophorus squamosus  skin with placoid scales and closeup pictures of two individual placoid scales (1.25 mm each).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Centrophorus aff. granulosus tooth that I found in Miocene matrix from France that @Quriosity sent to me years ago.

 

Centrophorus aff. granulosus 3 mm X 3 mm

 

 

 

 

 

 

The below link has a thread on two Centrophorus jaws that I acquired in 2015. One jaw, Jaw 1 is 3.5” wide and 2.5” inches high. The other jaw, Jaw 2 is 2.5” wide and 1.625” inches high. They both were sold as Centrophorus granulosus (Gulper Shark) jaws without location caught data. However, when you see the pictures in the thread, you will see that there is a very noticeable difference in tooth morphology between the jaws.  Jesco can you please take a look at this thread and give me your opinion on the IDs of Jaw 1 and Jaw 2?

 

 

 

Marco Sr.

[Dino9876]

4 minutes ago, MarcoSr said:

Jesco

 

Very informative thread.  In addition to the lack of information, I've seen a lot of the contradictory information and how similar the dentitions can be, so I never really tried to ID an extant jaw to a species level for the Centrophorus genus.  I have a few things, that I believe are of interest, that I am adding below.

 

@Coco sent to me years ago a number of pieces of different species of shark and ray skin. Below is a closeup picture of a piece of  Centrophorus squamosus  skin with placoid scales and closeup pictures of two individual placoid scales (1.25 mm each).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Centrophorus aff. granulosus tooth that I found in Miocene matrix from France that @Quriosity sent to me years ago.

 

Centrophorus aff. granulosus 3 mm X 3 mm

 

 

 

 

 

 

The below link has a thread on two Centrophorus jaws that I acquired in 2015. One jaw, Jaw 1 is 3.5” wide and 2.5” inches high. The other jaw, Jaw 2 is 2.5” wide and 1.625” inches high. They both were sold as Centrophorus granulosus (Gulper Shark) jaws without location caught data. However, when you see the pictures in the thread, you will see that there is a very noticeable difference in tooth morphology between the jaws.  Jesco can you please take a look at this thread and give me your opinion on the IDs of Jaw 1 and Jaw 2?

 

 

 

Marco Sr.

 

Thank you very very much for these nice additions!

The shark skin and the fossil tooth looks really great!

 

I will take a look on these 2 jaws, please give me some minutes. 

It's quite difficult without a location, do you maybe have any other information? If you bought them from a commercial seller, most of their shark jaws come from the Indo-Pacific, so I would assume that these jaws come from there too.

 

Best regards

[MarcoSr]

6 minutes ago, Dino9876 said:

I will take a look on these 2 jaws, please give me some minutes. 

It's quite difficult without a location, do you maybe have any other information? If you bought them from a commercial seller, most of their shark jaws come from the Indo-Pacific, so I would assume that these jaws come from there too.

 

Jesco

 

I found a location for Jaw 2.  The tag that I made up for that jaw had "the Coast of Pakistan" on the tag.  I confirmed the location on the website of the seller.  Unfortunately I don't remember the seller of Jaw 1 and my PayPal records/website purchase history of purchases don't go back far enough.  However, most of my jaws did come from commercial sellers so Indo-Pacific would be a good chance.

 

Marco Sr.

[Dino9876]

1 hour ago, MarcoSr said:

 

Jesco

 

I found a location for Jaw 2.  The tag that I made up for that jaw had "the Coast of Pakistan" on the tag.  I confirmed the location on the website of the seller.  Unfortunately I don't remember the seller of Jaw 1 and my PayPal records/website purchase history of purchases don't go back far enough.  However, most of my jaws did come from commercial sellers so Indo-Pacific would be a good chance.

 

Marco Sr.

 

Ah i think i know which seller you mean  

 

For jaw number 1, C. moluccensis would be my first guess. I'm not 100% sure without having the jaw in front of me, but the teeth look very much like my reference material, so I think its very likely, that this is this species.

These high, flattened at the top teeth with a slight curve at the tip are typical of C. moluccensis.

 

As for jaw number 2, I have to be honest and tell you that I have no idea and I don't want to make any false assumptions. A very similar tooth shape is published under C. lusitanicus, but with this species it's such a thing anyway, which is why I really can't decide on this jaw. Sorry!

 

Edit:

Here a 2 photos of another C. lusitanicus jaw from my collection. You see, that the tooth shape looks very very similar to your 2nd Centrophorus jaw. But there is a big difference compared to my 1st C. lusitanicus. This species is a mystery - you decide what you want to call the jaw  

 

 

 

Best regards,

Jesco

 

Edited March 10, 2023 by Dino9876

[MarcoSr]

4 hours ago, Dino9876 said:

 

Ah i think i know which seller you mean  

 

For jaw number 1, C. moluccensis would be my first guess. I'm not 100% sure without having the jaw in front of me, but the teeth look very much like my reference material, so I think its very likely, that this is this species.

These high, flattened at the top teeth with a slight curve at the tip are typical of C. moluccensis.

 

As for jaw number 2, I have to be honest and tell you that I have no idea and I don't want to make any false assumptions. A very similar tooth shape is published under C. lusitanicus, but with this species it's such a thing anyway, which is why I really can't decide on this jaw. Sorry!

 

Edit:

Here a 2 photos of another C. lusitanicus jaw from my collection. You see, that the tooth shape looks very very similar to your 2nd Centrophorus jaw. But there is a big difference compared to my 1st C. lusitanicus. This species is a mystery - you decide what you want to call the jaw  

 

 

 

Best regards,

Jesco

 

 

Jesco

 

Thank you very much for the ID help.  It is appreciated.

 

So although I thought I bought two Centrophorus granulosus jaws, in reality I didn't buy any.  This is very typical of seller IDs of extant shark jaws being wrong.  But two different species is better than just one species.

 

Marco Sr.

[Dino9876]

Update 04/2023:

 

I finally have one new Gulper Shark species in my collection to share here

 

Centrophorus tessellatus

 

From Hawaii, tooth formula: 39 / 31

  

[Dino9876]

Update 06/2023:

 

A great new Centrophorus jaw from the Philippines.

 

Centrophorus isodon

 

  

[Dino9876]

Update 08/2023:

 

Three rare new Centrophorus jaws, bought from a large collection in Australia (that's where the jaws come from). This makes the post almost complete  

 

Centrophorus harrissoni

 

Tooth formula: 34/31

  

 

I have compared the dental formula again with the newest literature and the general dental formula of C. harrissoni should be 33-39 / 30-32.

Here are some more photos from the Paper "First record of Centrophorus harrissoni from New Zealand, with observations on squamation in Centrophoridae (Squaliformes)"

 

 

 

 

Centrophorus westraliensis

 

Without the help of the collector who previously owned the jaws, the ID would have been almost impossible, as no data on the teeth of C. westraliensis has been published so far.

 

Tooth formula: 38/29

  

 

 

Centrophorus zeehaani

 

Tooth formula: 38/31

  

Edited September 1, 2023 by Dino9876

[Dino9876]

Not a new species, but an interesting thing:
A mutation of the left lower jaw of C. moluccensis.
The real symphysis tooth is marked in blue. The first following tooth is correct, followed by several misaligned teeth.