subfamilies
In biological classification, a subfamily (Latin: ', plural ') is an auxiliary (intermediate) taxonomic rank, next below family but more inclusive than genus. Standard nomenclature rules end subfamily botanical names with "-oideae", and zoologi ...
in the
family
Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...
Pomacentridae
Pomacentridae is a family of ray-finned fish, comprising the damselfishes and clownfishes. This family were formerly placed in the order Perciformes but are now regarded as being ''incertae sedis'' in the subseries Ovalentaria in the clade Perco ...
which includes the
clownfish
Clownfish or anemonefish are fishes from the subfamily Amphiprioninae in the family Pomacentridae. Thirty species of clownfish are recognized: one in the genus ''Premnas'', while the remaining are in the genus ''Amphiprion''. In the wild, th ...
es and the
damselfish
Damselfish are those within the subfamilies Abudefdufinae, Chrominae, Lepidozyginae, Pomacentrinae, and Stegastenae within the family Pomacentridae. Most species within this group are relatively small, with the largest species being about 30 ...
es. 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
In ethology, territory is the sociographical area that an animal consistently defends against conspecific competition (or, occasionally, against animals of other species) using agonistic behaviors or (less commonly) real physical aggression. ...
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
Algae (; singular alga ) is an informal term for a large and diverse group of photosynthetic eukaryotic organisms. It is a polyphyletic grouping that includes species from multiple distinct clades. Included organisms range from unicellular mic ...
, 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
''Fishes of the World'' by the American ichthyologist Joseph S. Nelson (1937–2011) is a standard reference for fish systematics. Now in its fifth edition (2016), the work is a comprehensive overview of the diversity and classification of the ...
'' states that the Pomacentrinae is most likely to be
paraphyletic
In taxonomy (general), taxonomy, a group is paraphyletic if it consists of the group's most recent common ancestor, last common ancestor and most of its descendants, excluding a few Monophyly, monophyletic subgroups. The group is said to be pa ...
but does not break the subfamily into different lineages. Other authorities split the Pomacentrinae into the subfamilies Abudefdufinae and Stegastinae and include the
Amphiprioninae
Clownfish or anemonefish are fishes from the subfamily Amphiprioninae in the family Pomacentridae. Thirty species of clownfish are recognized: one in the genus '' Premnas'', while the remaining are in the genus '' Amphiprion''. In the wild, t ...
, the clownfishes as the
tribe
The term tribe is used in many different contexts to refer to a category of human social group. The predominant worldwide usage of the term in English language, English is in the discipline of anthropology. This definition is contested, in p ...
Amphiprionini within the Pomacentrinae. Abstract
Genera
The following genera are classified in the subfamily Pomacentrinae:
* ''
Abudefduf
''Abudefduf'' also known as the sergeant-majors is a genus of fish in the family Pomacentridae.
The name is from Arabic ''abu'', "the one with"; and ''def'', "side", and the intensive plural ending ''-duf''. The name thus means "the one with p ...
Amblyglyphidodon
''Amblyglyphidodon'' is a genus of fish in the family Pomacentridae. These damselfish swim singly, in pairs, or in small groups. They are often found among corals.
Species
There are currently 11 recognized species in this genus:
* '' Amblyglyph ...
''
Bleeker Bleeker is a Dutch occupational surname. Bleeker is an old spelling of ''(linnen)bleker'' ("linen bleacher").Amblypomacentrus'' Bleeker, 1877
* '' Cheiloprion'' M.C.W Weber, 1913
* ''
Chrysiptera
''Chrysiptera'' is a genus of damselfish in the family Pomacentridae.
Species
There are currently 38 recognized speciesYoutube Creatures section, Damselfish - Author:Sublanding Fish020-06-19/ref> in this genus:
* '' Chrysiptera albata'' G ...
Gill
A gill () is a respiratory organ that many aquatic organisms use to extract dissolved oxygen from water and to excrete carbon dioxide. The gills of some species, such as hermit crabs, have adapted to allow respiration on land provided they are ...
Hypsypops
The Garibaldi, known historically also as the Catalina goldfish and marine goldfish and now commonly as the Garibaldi damselfish (''Hypsypops rubicundus'') is a species of bright orange fish in the damselfish family. It occurs in the subtropica ...
'' Gill, 1861
* ''
Mecaenichthys
The immaculate damselfish (''Mecaenichthys immaculatus''), also known as the green puller, is a species of ray-finned fish, it is the only species in the monotypic genus ''Mecaenichthys'', classified in the subfamily Pomacentrinae of the family ...
Neoglyphidodon
''Neoglyphidodon'' is a genus of fish in the family Pomacentridae.
Species
*'' Neoglyphidodon bonang'' ( Bleeker, 1852)
*'' Neoglyphidodon carlsoni'' ( Allen, 1975)
*'' Neoglyphidodon crossi'' ( Allen, 1991)
*'' Neogl ...
''
Allen Allen, Allen's or Allens may refer to:
Buildings
* Allen Arena, an indoor arena at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee
* Allen Center, a skyscraper complex in downtown Houston, Texas
* Allen Fieldhouse, an indoor sports arena on the Unive ...
Snodgrass
The family name Snodgrass is said to originate from lands in the parish of Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland, known as Snodgrasse, or Snodgers, at a bend in the River Garnock at 55°38' north, 4°42' west, which were rented out in plots. Both forms are ...
, 1903
* ''
Parma
Parma (; egl, Pärma, ) is a city in the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna known for its architecture, Giuseppe Verdi, music, art, prosciutto (ham), Parmigiano-Reggiano, cheese and surrounding countryside. With a population of 198,292 ...
Pomacentrus
''Pomacentrus'' is a genus of marine damselfish in the family Pomacentridae. These fish inhabit tropical locations and are often captured or bred as aquarium fish.
Species
There are currently 76 recognized species in th ...
Stegastes
''Stegastes'' is a genus of ray-finned fish in the family Pomacentridae. Members of this genus are marine coastal fishes except for ''S. otophorus'', which also occurs in brackish water. These fish are known by the names of damselfish, gregory a ...
Teixeirichthys
Jordan's damsel (''Teixeirichthys jordani'') is a species of ray-finned fish from the family Pomacentridae, the damselfishes and clownfishes, it is the only species in the monotypic genus ''Teixeirichthys''. It has a disjunct distribution in the ...