Genus Malacocephalus Günther, 1862

Malacocephalus Günther, 1862 (type species Macrourus laevis Lowe, 1843 by monotypy).

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES.— BR 7; V usually 8 or 9; inner GR-I 9–14; pyl. caeca 50–100 or more. Snout smoothly rounded; sides of head relatively compressed and vertical; mouth large, usually>45% HL, upper jaws extend to or beyond vertical through posterior edge of orbits; premaxillary teeth in two rows to moderate band, with outer series enlarged; dentary teeth large, widely spaced, in one row laterally; chin barbel present; spinous ray of 1D smooth (subgenus Malacocephalus) or serrated (subgenus Pawnurus); periproct in middle third of space between V and A, usually closer to V; two dermal windows of light organ, one between V bases, the other within naked periproct region and before anus. Scales densely covered with fine needlelike spinules giving velvety feel to surface; no coarsely scaled ridges or scutes on head and snout; lowermost BR scaled. Gill membranes narrowly united over isthmus, with a free fold; gill openings extend forwards under orbits. Two short, broad retia and two wide but short gas glands.

REMARKS.— Two subgenera ( Malacocephalus and Pawnurus) and seven species known, but two or three species of subgenus Malacocephalus may be synonyms of the widely distributed M. laevis .