Ogcocephalus

Ogcocephalus Was first proposed as a genus in 1813 by the German anatomist, entomologist and palaeontologist Gotthelf Fischer von Waldheim. This genus is classified within the "Eastern Pacific/Western Atlantic clade" of the family Ogcocephalidae. The family Ogcocephalidae is classified in the monotypic suborder Ogcocephaloidei within the order Lophiiformes, the anglerfishes in the 5th edition of Fishes of the World. ==Etymology==

Ogcocephalus is a combination of ogkos, which means "hook", and cephalus, meaning "head", an allusion to the pointed rostrum on the snout of the type species. ==Species==

There are currently 13 recognized species in this genus: • Ogcocephalus corniger Bradbury, 1980 (Longnose batfish) • Ogcocephalus cubifrons (J. Richardson, 1836) (Spotted batfish) • Red-lipped batfish, Ogcocephalus darwini C. L. Hubbs, 1958 (Red-lipped batfish, Galápagos batfish) • Ogcocephalus declivirostris Bradbury, 1980 (Slantbrow batfish) • Ogcocephalus nasutus (G. Cuvier, 1829) (Shortnose batfish) • Ogcocephalus notatus Valenciennes, 1837 (Oval batfish) • Ogcocephalus pantostictus Bradbury, 1980 (Spotted batfish) • Ogcocephalus parvus Longley & Hildebrand, 1940 (Roughback batfish) • Ogcocephalus porrectus Garman, 1899 (Rosy-lipped batfish) • Ogcocephalus pumilus Bradbury, 1980 (Dwarf batfish) • Ogcocephalus radiatus Mitchill, 1818 (Polka-dot batfish) • Ogcocephalus rostellum Bradbury, 1980 (Palefin batfish) • Ogcocephalus vespertilio (Linnaeus, 1758) (Brazilian batfish, Seadevil) ==Characteristics==

'' swimming Ogcocephalus batfishes are characterised by having a flattened head, although this is raised above the disc of the body which is triangular in shape. The smallest species in the genus is the dwarf batfish (O. pumilus) with a maximum standard length of while the largest is the seadevil (O. vespertilio) with a standard length of . ==Distribution and habitat==

Ogcocephalus batfishes are found in the tropical and temperate seas of the Americas with 2 species in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and 11 in the Western Atlantic Ocean. ==See also==