A Redescription of the Eel Goby Trypauchenopsis (Gobiidae: Amblyopinae) with Comments on Relationships

The gobioid genus Trypauchenopsis and type species, T. intermedia, are redescribed based on examination of 485 specimens (including the holotype) from various localities in the Indo-West Pacific. The genus is unique in possessing forked middle radials of the ultimate dorsal- and anal-fin pterygiophores, no pleural ribs or only a single pleural rib on the ultimate precaudal vertebra, and caducous, cutaneous, short barbel-like processes scattered on the head. Two species that had been referred to the genus Taenioides (T. jacksoni and T. limicola) are now placed in the synonymy of Trypauchenopsis intermedia. Trypauchenopsis has often been confused with Taenioides or Brachyamblyopus; these three genera along with Gymnoamblyopus, Odontamblyopus, and Pseudotrypauchen are compared and characters to distinguish them are provided. The relationships of Trypauchenopsis to these genera are also discussed.