Macrourus Bloch 1786

(Adapted from Iwamoto 1990a)

Diagnostic features: Head large, broad, its depth 4.2 to 4.8 in total length; snout rounded to bluntly pointed, with a stout modified tricuspid scale at tip; a strong suborbital ridge that extends posteriorly onto the preopercular and ending in a sharp point. Orbit diameter about one-third of head length. Mouth sub-terminal, jaws extend beyond vertical through mid-orbit; outer gill rakers on first arch absent; branchiostegal rays 6. Teeth small, in moderate to broad bands on premaxilla, sometimes with outer series slightly enlarged, the bands tapering posteriorly and ending well short of rictus; mandibular teeth 1 to about 5 teeth wide at symphysis, narrowing to one row posteriorly and extending to about end of rictus. A serrated spinous ray (second, first ray tiny and stout) in the first dorsal fin; pelvic fin rays usually 8 or 9 (7 to 10). Anus close to anal fin, no light organ; swimbladder shallowly bilobed anteriorly, with 4 retia mirabilia. Body scales with an enlarged median row of spinules flanked by parallel rows of much smaller spinules.

A few key references are provided for each synonymy. Refer to Eschmeyer (1998) and Eschmeyer & Fricke (2011) for further information.