Amustotrogon subgen. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: ECE91D5B-D3A5-4D90-85A7-2E1AB3F31D7D

The type species for this subgenus is Cypselurus formosus Kotthaus, 1969 .

Differential diagnosis. This subgenus differs from all other subgenera of the genus Cheilopogon in smaller number of vertebrae and in the absence of chin barbels and enlarged dorsal fin ("Parexocoetus" stage) in juveniles (this stage is also absent in Ptenichthys). From the genus Cypselurus it differs in an elongate lower jaw protruding in front of the upper jaw, and in the presence of sharp (often recurved) unicuspid jaw teeth.

Etymology. The name of the subgenus reflects the characteristics of the type species—the absence of barbels in juveniles and the presence of strong teeth on the jaws (from the Greek words Aµoυστάκoς (amustacas)—having no barbels and Περιτρώγoν (peritrógon)—toothed creature.

Composition of the subgenus. We include two species in the subgenus: Cheilopogon (Amustotrogon) formosus (Kotthaus) (with 3 subspecies) and Ch. (A.) marisrubri sp. nov.