1 a Long rakers on anterior gill arch 5–6............................................................................................................................ 2
1 b Long rakers on anterior gill arch 3–4............................................................................................................................ 4
2 a Caudal fin rays 6, precaudal vertebrae 10, total vertebrae 45, anal fin rays 74 ............ B. armiger (Philippine Islands)
2 b Caudal fin rays 7, precaudal vertebrae 10–12, total vertebrae 48–51, anal fin rays 75–88.......................................... 3
3 a 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)
3 b Precaudal vertebrae 10, preopercular crest without spine, depth at origin of anal fin 17.0 % SL................................. .................................................................................................................................. B. cryptica (off southern Georgia)
4 a 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)
4 b 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)