Redescription of the gobiid fish genus Pseudotrypauchen (Gobiidae : Amblyopinae) and its significance in amblyopine phylogeny

Abstract

The Indo–West Pacific gobiid genus Pseudotrypauchen is defined and redescribed. Pseudotrypauchen comprises one species,P. multiradiatus, known only from India, Malaysia, and Sumatra. A figure and description of this species are given. Pseudotrypauchen is unique within the Amblyopinae in having short, compressed, and gently rounded teeth in the outermost row on jaws, and in having the first two pterygiophores of the second dorsal fin separated by a neural spine. The latter character is unique within the subfamily. Owing to their shared possession of (1) free and silk-like pectoral-fin rays, and (2) a high pectoral-fin ray count, Odontamblyopus is a more likely candidate as sister group to Pseudotrypauchen than any other member of the Amblyopinae. Other relationships of Pseudotrypauchen are discussed.