Etmopterus Rafinesque, 1810
Snout in front of mouth somewhat shorter than distance from mouth to level of origin of pectoral fins. Pre-oral clefts slightly expanded inwardly. Upper teeth with 3-7 cusps, lower teeth with single cusps and much broader than uppers, base of each tooth overlapping that of next outward tooth to form a continuous dental band, cusps directed outward all along jaw, forming a nearly unbroken cutting edge. Pectoral fins with inner corner rounded; dorsal spines well exposed and possessing lateral grooves; caudal peduncle without pre-caudal pits or lateral ridges; caudal fin witb or without sub-terminal notch. Dermal denticles on sides of body thornlike, bristle-like or truncate with quadrate bases.
Species about 18; in Clofnam area 3 (a revision of this genus is needed).
Recent revisions: Bigelow and Schroeder (1957), Garrick (1960), Krefft (1968), Bass, D'Aubrey and Kistnasamy (1976).
Species of this genus in the program:
Etmopterus princeps
Etmopterus pusillus
Etmopterus spinax