WEEVER

any of four species of small marine fishes of the family Trachinidae (order Perciformes). Weevers are long-bodied fishes that habitually bury themselves in the sand. They have large, upwardly slanted mouths and eyes near the top of the head. There is a sharp spine on each gill cover; these spines, like those of the first dorsal fin, are associated with venom glands and can produce very painful wounds. Three species of weevers are found in the Old World, and one in the New World, along the Chilean coast. Well-known species include the greater and lesser weevers (Trachinus draco and T. vipera), of both Europe and the Mediterranean.