本属は2種を含む。もう1種のScopelengys clarkei Butler et Ahlstromは中部北太平洋から知られている。*印はNafpaktitis (1977) より引用。(藤井)
Distinctive characters:
(Family):Upper jaw marginated by premaxillary only. Maxillary greatly expanded posteriorly. Supramaxillary present. Dorsal fin well in advance of anal fin. Adipose fin present. (Genus):No photophores on body. Eye small, its diameter more than 7 times in head length. Upper jaw extending beyond vertical throuh posterior margin of orbit. A patch of small teeth on each side of vomer. Mesopterygoid teeth absent. Scales cycloid, highly deciduous. (Species):Pectoral fin rays 14〜17*. Caudal peduncle depth 5.6〜8.3% of SL*.
Distribution:
Warm waters of three major oceans. Type locality-11°12′47″N, 74°25′30″E.
Remarks:
The genus includes two species. Another species, S. clarkei Butler et Ahlstrom, is known from the central North Pacific. * Reference data from Nafpaktitis (1977). (Fujii)