Centrophorus moluccensis Bleeker, 1860

Smallfin Gulper Shark

Centrophorus moluccensis Bleeker, 1860: 3 . Holotype: RMNH 7415. Type locality: Ambon, Indonesia.

Local synonymy: White et al., 2018: 48, figs (PNG). Although listed in Kailola (1987), no verification of the species can be made to determine as to whether it refers to this species or one of the other three species in this genus.

PNG voucher material: (4 spec.) CSIRO H 8001-01, female 870 mm TL, north of Kavieng town, New Ireland, 2°30.63’ S, 150°47.62’ E, 409 m depth, 29 Sep. 2015; CSIRO H 8002-02, female 980 mm TL, north of Kavieng town, New Ireland, 2°31.42’ S, 150°38.78’ E, 680 m depth, 29 Sep. 2015; KFRS E628, female 960 mm TL, north of Kavieng town, New Ireland, 2°31.42’ S, 150°38.78’ E, 680 m depth, 29 Sep. 2015; NTUM 11496, juvenile male 333 mm TL, northwest of Kavieng, New Ireland, 2°23’ S, 150°35’ E, 534–650 m depth, 31 Aug. 2014.

Remarks: The most common species caught in deeper water off New Ireland during a short survey of sharks and rays below 400 m depth in September 2015.