Genus Lucigadus Gilbert and Hubbs, 1920

Lucigadus Gilbert and Hubbs, 1920:553 (as subgenus of Ventrifossa; type species Macrourus lucifer Smith and Radcliffe, 1912, by original designation).— Sazonov, 1985:17 (elevated subgenus Lucigadus to genus level).

Lucigadella Gilbert and Hubbs, 1920:552 (as subgenus of Ventrifossa; type species Macrourus nigromarginatus Smith and Radcliffe, 1912, by original designation)

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES.— BR 7; chin barbel present; spinous ray of 1D serrated; anus removed from A, closer to V bases; light organ well developed, two dermal windows, one before anus, the second between V bases; ventral region of body appearing to have swung far forward so that gill membranes unite below or forward of preopercle, pelvic fins below opercle; suborbital shelf covered with several rows of small relatively unmodified scales, with no sharp ridges; underside of snout mostly or completely scaled; spinules on body scales usually aligned in parallel rows; teeth in both jaws small, in tapered bands, premaxillary band not reaching beyond posterior edge of maxillary process. (Adapted from Iwamoto and Merrett 1997:526).

REMARKS.— Seven species, only one in Taiwan. Most species smaller than 20 cm TL.