Key to the species of the genus Abyssobrotula

1a. Pectoral-fin rays 14–15, head large (22.0–22.5% SL), opercular spine pointed and strong.......... A. hadropercularis n. sp.

1b. Pectoral-fin rays 10–11, head small (17.5–19.5% SL), opercular spine flat and weak........................ A. galatheae