Centrophorus

This article is about the genus of squaliform sharks. For the genus of ciliates, see Kentrophoros.

Centrophorus
Temporal range: 94–0 Ma Turonian to present[1]
Gulper shark, Centrophorus granulosus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Subclass: Elasmobranchii
Order: Squaliformes
Family: Centrophoridae
Genus: Centrophorus
J. P. Müller & Henle, 1837
Species

See text.

Centrophorus is a genus of squaliform sharks. These deep-water sharks, found in temperate and tropical oceans throughout the world, are characterized by grey or brown bodies, large green eyes, and spines on both dorsal fins. These spines give them their name, from Greek κεντρον, kentron meaning "thorn" and φέρειν, pherein meaning "to bear".

The genus is present in the fossil record from the Paleocene (C. squamosus) onwards.

  1. ^ Sepkoski, Jack (2002). "A compendium of fossil marine animal genera (Chondrichthyes entry)". Bulletins of American Paleontology. 364: 560. Archived from the original on 2012-05-10. Retrieved 2008-01-09.