Sensory pits on upper and lower jaws, in young (40-50 mm) well developed 

 and have a similarity to the nasal sensory pore of the deep water genus Lycenchelys . 



Teeth on jaws very characteristic, few, widely spaced. Posterior portion of 

 lower jaw with 3-4 large teeth in a single row, separated; anterior portion with 

 smaller teeth in two rows. Upper jaw with 6-9 small teeth in a single row. 

 Occasionally 1-2 additional teeth on inner edge. Palatine with 6-8 teeth in a 

 single row; vomer with 2-4 teeth. 



Gill rakers with elements weakly developed or absent on inner side; absent 

 on outer side. 



Body somewhat elongated, depth at base of anal 8.8-10.8% L, predorsal 24,8- 

 28.7% L, preanal 45.6-48.0 (52)% L. 



Scales small, completely covering posterior part of body. Anteriorly reaching 

 to middle of pectoral, but in large examples almost to pectoral base. In front of 

 dorsal on back of young examples scales are absent, or sometimes represented by a 

 narrow line of very small scales. In large examples scales may extend to line be- 

 tween gill openings. On the abdomen of Bering and Chukchi Sea examples (types & 

 others) the scales are absent. In Okhotsk Sea material they are usually present 

 (particularly in larger examples). Scales on vertical fins present, sometimes reaching 

 to the edge in the posterior portion; in some instances less developed on fins. 



Lateral line single, a simple one, extending mediolaterally to tail . In 

 large examples visible only anteriorly and from origin of anal to tail. Pectoral 

 13.0-14.7% L. Ventral fins inserted a little anterior to connection of lower edges 

 of giU cover, length 2.4-3.0% L, 11 .4-12.9% (14.5%) of head. 



Head in young, dark, a light spot behind eyes . The number of spots increases 

 with age, merging to form a network of light reticulations in large adults . Lower 

 .edge of dark color on head is clearly visible, usually under eye and descending on 

 cheek and gill openings to snout . A dark spot under eye which is separate from 

 remaining dark area by a light upward curved line . Gill covers connected with a 

 distinct light bar, semicircular shaped, curved portion to the front . Upper part 

 of body with about 7 dark spots that extend to dorsal fin in the form of wide 

 bars and end on the edge of that fin in a darker color, creating the impression 

 of an interrupted dark line bordering the dorsal fin . Posteriorly the body 

 marbled with dark spots which extend to anal. In adults the pattern is still 

 further complicated, forming reticulations dor sally. Abdomen and lower surface 

 of head yellowish white. Sometimes anal and abdomen are darker. Pyloric caeca 

 2, as is typical for the genus Lycodes . Our examples 100 to 700 mm long. 



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