Abstract
The familial classification of gobioid fishes is in a state of flux, reflecting incomplete understanding of phylogenetic relationships within the suborder. However, there has been rapid progress over the past decade or so, which is likely to continue,undoubtedly leading to the erection of new family-group names. One such family, Odontobutidae, was erected by Hoese and Gill (1993) for several Asiatic freshwater genera. Recently, the spelling of this taxon has been challenged (Kottelat, 2001; Chen etal., 2002). According to Chen et al. (2002: 233): "Although commonly spelled Odontobutidae, a family-group name based on the genus group name Odontobutis should be spelled Odontobutididae as the stem of the genus group name is odontobutid- (ICZN art. 29). The spelling Odontobutidae can be retained under ICZN art. 29.3.1.1 only if it is the "prevailing usage", but ICZN is logically flawed on this point as it does not provide a tool to objectively decide what is the "prevaihng usage". Both spellings are in use, and it seems thus logical to stick to the letter of the ICZN."
NSTL