ABSTRACT
Moras are relatively small (<70 cm) benthopelagic or demersal fishes found worldwide on outer continental shelves to lower slopes. The family consists of about 100 species in approximately 18 genera (McEachran & Fechhelm 1998). Morids are characterized by having a swim bladder-auditory capsule connection, a caudal skeleton with 4 or 5 hypurals and X-Y bones, and a fusion of the first neural spine to the skull (Cohen 1984). In addition, the sagittal otoliths of morids are distinct in that the posterior portion of the sulcus is bifurcate and deeply channeled (Karrer 1971, Paulin 1989a). The body of adults is moderately fusiform and tapered posteriorly to a narrow caudal peduncle and a small caudal fin that frequently has more inferior than superior procurrent fin rays (Fahay & Markle 1984). Pelvic fins are jugular, and in several species the number of pelvic fin rays are reduced during ontogeny. Both anal and dorsal fins are soft rayed and have a long base, and the dorsal fin is divided into a short-based anterior section and a long-based posterior section. The distinction between the first and second dorsal fins is not clear during the larval stage. Morids rarely possess three dorsal fins or two anal fins (Cohen et al. 1990). The mouth is terminal or subterminal, and a chin barbel is usually present although is lacking in Gadella (Paulin 1989b).
