 In 1917 Jordan proposed that "Macrourus berglax" be designated the type species but this also lacks clarity as Sundevall was of the view that the fish named as "berglax" by Gunnerus was in fact "C. rupestris" and that "M. berglax" should be named "M. fabricii".This is still to be resolved by the ICZN.There are currently five recognized species in this genus