本種の原記載は体長270mm前後(吻端から尾鰭上葉起点までの長さ)の幼魚にもとづいており,本標本と十分な比較ができない。本標本では第1背鰭棘長は頭長とほぼ等しいが,Bigelow and Schroeder (1953b) の記載では頭長の約3/4となっている。体長435mmの標本では前額把攫器,交接器がよく発達している。 (上野・佐々木)
Distinctive characters:
Anal fin absent. Pectoral long, its tip beyond insertion of pelvic when depressed, and more than 1.5 times of head. First dorsal spine strong, its length nearly equal to head. Upper margin of second dorsal straight. Caudal filament notably elongate, longer than distance from tip of snout to insertion of pelvic. Eye large, 2/3 of preocular length. Lateral groove deeply curved below the first dorsal spine. Pattern of mucous canals on head is shown in the figure. Clasper bifid.
Distribution:
Gulf of Mexico (type locality). Off Suriname.
Remarks:
The present species was originally described based on the specimens around 270 mm SL (from tip of snout to origin of upper caudal fin), so that the present specimens cannot be well compared. Bigelow and Schroeder (1953b) reported that the first dorsal spine is about 3/4 of head, but nearly same in the present specimens. Judging from well-developed tenacula and clasper, a male of 435 mm SL appears fully matured. (Uyeno and Sasaki)