Genus Malacocephalus


Summary:
A small whiptail genus characterized by having the following combination of characters: large, spaced, canine-like teeth in the lower jaw; the relatively large mouth; small scales that give a velvety feel to the surface; an almost vertical suborbital region lacking a sharp, coarsely scaled ridge; two large dermal windows (seen as naked fossae) of the light organ between the pelvic fins; scaly lower branchiostegal rays; numerous pyloric caeca (50-100); and usually a smooth spinous dorsal-fin ray in the first dorsal fin.  
Author: Bray, D.J. 2018

Image Gallery


Cite this page as:
Bray, D.J. 2018, Malacocephalus in Fishes of Australia, accessed 29 Mar 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/genus/860

References


Iwamoto, T. & Graham, K.J. 2001. Grenadiers (Families Bathygadidae and Macrouridae, Gadiformes, Pisces) of New South Wales, Australia. Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences 52(21): 407-509 figs 1-114  

Iwamoto, T. & McMillan, P.J. 2008. Family Macrouridae. pp. 320-347 in Gomon, M.F., Bray, D.J. & Kuiter, R.H. (eds). Fishes of Australia's Southern Coast. Sydney : Reed New Holland 928 pp.  

Iwamoto, T. & Williams, A. 1999. Grenadiers (Pisces, Gadiformes) from the continental slope of western and northwestern Australia. Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences 51(3): 105-243 figs 1-58 

McMillan, P. 1994. Family Macrouridae. pp. 340-364 figs 304-325 in Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & Kuiter, R.H. (eds). The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. Adelaide : State Printer 992 pp. 810 figs.   

McMillan, P.J. & Iwamoto, T. 2015. Families Macrouridae, Bathygadidae, Macrouroididae, Trachyrincidae. pp. 747-838 in Roberts, C.D., Stewart, A.L. & Struthers, C.D. The Fishes of New Zealand. Wellington : Te Papa Press Vol. 3 pp. 577-1152.