Bellottia

Key to species of Bellottia spp.

1a Long rakers on anterior gill arch 5–6............................................................................................................................ 2

1b Long rakers on anterior gill arch 3–4............................................................................................................................4

2a Caudal fin rays 6, precaudal vertebrae 10, total vertebrae 45, anal fin rays 74 ............ B. armiger (Philippine Islands)

2b Caudal fin rays 7, precaudal vertebrae 10–12, total vertebrae 48–51, anal fin rays 75–88.......................................... 3

3a Precaudal vertebrae 12, preopercular crest with spine (Fig. 3), depth at origin of anal fin 17.5–23.0 % of SL........... ........................................................................................................................................... B. robusta (Gulf of Mexico)

3b Precaudal vertebrae 10, preopercular crest without spine, depth at origin of anal fin 17.0 % SL................................. .................................................................................................................................. B. cryptica (off southern Georgia)

4a Dorsal fin rays 70–72, pectoral fin rays 19–20, origin of anal fin below dorsal fin ray no. 12–13, predorsal 44.0–45.5 % SL, spine on cleithrum present, no fangs on dentigerous bones................................................................................ ...................................................................................................... B. galatheae (Solomon Sea and Philippine Islands)

4b Dorsal fin rays 83–94, pectoral fin rays 21–26, origin of anal fin below dorsal fin ray no. 17–19, predorsal 35.5–40.0 % SL, spine on cleithrum absent, all dentigerous bones with retrorse fangs................................................................. .................................................................................................................... B. apoda (Mediterranean and NE Atlantic)