A review of Amblyotrypauchen (Teleostei: Gobiidae), a genus of blind amblyopine gobies

The Indo-West Pacific gobiid genus Amblyotrypauchen Hora is reviewed and defined. Amblyotrypauchen is unique within the Amblyopinae in having 10+19 vertebrae, enlarged fang-like teeth in both jaws, partially separate pelvic fins, and scale patches on the opercle, cheeks, and dorsum of head. In contrast to most other members of the subfamily, Amblyotrypauchen lacks eyes and has been collected off muddy bottoms from almost 17 m to over 183 m in depth. Karsten Murdy is the only other known amblyopine goby that is blind and found at such depths. Amblyotrypauchen comprises a single species, A. arctocephalus, known from India, Malaysia, [long Kong, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, and Australia. A figure of A. arctocephalus is provided. Amblyotrypauchen is most similar to Ctenotrypauchen, Karsten, Trypauchen, and Trypauchenichthys; the five genera are compared.