PIETSCH and VAN DUZER: SYSTEMATICS AND DISTRIBUTION OF ANGLERFISHES 



projection of the supraoccipital; posteriorly di- 

 rected dorsolateral extensions of the parasphenoid 

 make contact laterally with the respective prootic 

 (Figures 3, 4). 



The large prootics are separated from each other 

 anteriorly by the anterior process of the supra- 

 occipital. Ventrally, each prootic forms a rela- 

 tively large, anterolaterally directed, conical pro- 



jection not found in other ceratioids (Figures 3-5, 

 8). 



The supraoccipital is the largest element of the 

 cranium, making up a considerable portion of the 

 roof of the cranium. Together with the frontals, 

 the supraoccipital forms the floor of a deep, 

 V-shaped illicial trough (Figure 8). An anteriorly 

 directed extension of the supraoccipital that sep- 



Pterosphenoid 



Sphenotic 



Parietal 



Frontal 



Supraethmoid 



Lateral ethmoid 



Vomer 



Posttemporal 



Exoccipital 



20th pre-ural 

 centrum 



Basloccipital 



Parasphenoid 



Supraoccipital 



Pterotic 



Prootic 



FIGURE 4.— Lateral view of cranium of Melanocetus murrayi, LACM 31501-3, 84 mm SL. Cartilage stippled, open 



spaces solid black. 



Pterosphenoid 



Prootic 



Supraethmoid 



Pterotic 



Parasphenoid 



Exoccipital 



Vomer 



20th pre-ural 

 centrum 



Basioccipital 



Lateral ethmoid 



Posttemporal 



Frontal 



Sphenotic 



Figure 5.— Ventral view of cranium of Melanocetus murrayi, LACM 31501-3, 84 mm SL. Cartilage stippled, open 



spaces solid black. 



63 



