Centrophorus

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Centrophorus
Fossil range: Turonian to Present[1]
Gulper shark, Centrophorus granulosus
Gulper shark, Centrophorus granulosus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Subclass: Elasmobranchii
Order: Squaliformes
Family: Centrophoridae
Genus: Centrophorus
Müller & Henle, 1837
Species

See text.

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

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

[edit] Species

[edit] References

  1. ^ Sepkoski, Jack (2002). "A compendium of fossil marine animal genera (Chondrichthyes entry)". Bulletins of American Paleontology 364: p.560.