ABSTRACT. The gobiid subfamily Oxudercinae was revised to assess the monophyletic nature of the subfamily; the intergeneric relationships within the subfamily; the relationships of oxudercines to other gobiid genera; the recognisable species and their distinguishing characters; and the distribution patterns of the subfamily and component taxa. The following results were obtained: (1) The Oxudercinae can be defined on the basis of derived states of certain neurocranial bones and muscles, eye position, nasal flap morphology, the palatine-ectopterygoid arrangement, reduction in size of the premaxillae ascending processes, and in having a single anal fin pterygiophore anterior to the first hemal spine. (2) Within the subfamily, one undefined and nine monophyletic terminal assemblages are recognised, with relationships amongst them based on derived states of various morphological features. These assemblages are recognised at the generic level and one new genus (Zappa) is described; a key to the genera is provided. Thirty four species are recognised of which one (Boleophthalmus birdsongi) is described for the first time. Each species is described in detail and a key is provided for each genus. (3) Two monophyletic assemblages (one comprising three genera, the other seven) are recognised at the tribal level. Defining characters for each tribe are provided and illustrated. (4) Biogeographic analysis indicated that nine of the ten genera are distributed in an area bounded by the Arabian Gulf to the west, southern Japan to the north, northern Australia to the south, and Papua New Guinea to the east. The remaining genus, Periophthalmus, overlaps and exceeds the above limits, ranging from west Africa eastward to Samoa. Species-specific correlations linking Periophthalmus with mangrove distributions are discussed.

The Indo-West Pacific gobiid genus Odontamblyopus Bleeker is defined and revised. Odontamblyopus is unique within the Amblyopinae in having free and silklike pectoral-fin rays. Odontamblyopus comprises four species: O. lacepedii, distributed from southern China to Taiwan, Korea, and Japan; O. roseus, distributed along the west coast of India; O. rubicundus, ranging from the east coast of India to Myanmar; and O. tenuis, known only from Pakistan and Myanmar. A key to species is provided. Figures and descriptions of each species are also given. Odontamblyopus has often been confused with Taenioides; the two genera are compared and characters to distinguish them are provided. The phylogeny and biogeography of Odontamblyopus are discussed.

The Indo-West Pacific gobiid genus Trypauchen is diagnosed and revised. Trypauchen is unique within the Amblyopinae in having the following combination of characters: 1) typically four, rarely three, anal-fin pterygiophores anterior to the first hemal spine; 2) pelvic fins small, united, and funnel-shaped with a well-developed interradial membrane; and 3) abdomen scaled. Trypauchen comprises two species: T. pelaeos n. sp., known from Myanmar, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and China; and T. vagina, distributed from Kuwait, along the coasts of India, ranging eastward to the Philippines, Taiwan, and China. A key to species is provided. Figures and descriptions of each species are also given. Putative relationships of the genus are discussed.

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