Pomacentrinae is one of four subfamilies in the family Pomacentridae. It is the most diverse of the subfamilies in the Pomacentridae with around 21 genera and approximately 200 species.
Characteristics The species within the Pomacentrinae have orb-like to moderately elongated bodies and they do not have spiny caudal rays projecting out of the caudal peduncle. The majority of species display territoriality and they defend of feeding territory from members of their own species and other species which compete with them for food. They feed on algae, which they appear to cultivate, actively increasing the algal productivity within their territories. Many species lay demersal eggs, which are guarded and fanned by the male. One species, the freshwater demoiselle Neopomacentrus taeniurus is known to enter estuaries and even reaches into the lowest stretches of streams.
Classification The 5th Edition of Fishes of the World states that the Pomacentrinae is most likely to be paraphyletic but does not break the subfamily into different lineages. Other authorities split the Pomacentrinae into the subfamilies Abudefdufinae and Stegastinae and include the Amphiprioninae, the clownfishes as the tribe Amphiprionini within the Pomacentrinae. Abstract
Genera The following genera are classified in the subfamily Pomacentrinae:
Abudefduf Forsskål, 1775 Amblyglyphidodon Bleeker, 1877 Amblypomacentrus Bleeker, 1877 Cheiloprion M.C.W Weber, 1913 Chrysiptera Swainson, 1839 Dischistodus Gill, 1863 Hemiglyphidodon Bleeker, 1877 Hypsypops Gill, 1861 Mecaenichthys Whitley, 1929 Microspathodon Günther, 1862 Neoglyphidodon Allen, 1991 Neopomacentrus Allen, 1975 Nexilosus Heller and Snodgrass, 1903 Parma Günther, 1862 Plectroglyphidodon Fowler & Ball, 1924 Pomacentrus Lacépède, 1802 Pomachromis Allen & Randall, 1974 Pristotis Rüppell, 1838 Similiparma Hensley, 1986 Stegastes Jenyns, 1840 Teixeirichthys J. L. B. Smith, 1953
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