672 TELEOSTEI CHAP. 
Asprotilapia, Eretmodus, Plecodus, Pseudetroplus. American: 
Acura, Heros, Hygrogonus, Cichla, Crenicichla, Chaetobranchus, 
Geophagus, Symphysodon, Pterophyllum. Indian: Etroplus. 
No part of the world surpasses Lake Tanganyika in variety of 
generic and specific types of Cichlidae, the fish-fauna of this 
fo) 
great lake being in great majority made up of members of this 
pe 
family. 
oa 
4 
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Fig. 411.—Distribution of the Cichlidae. 
Priscacara, from the Eocene of North America, is the only 
extinct genus which can be referred to this family. 
Fam, 34. Pomacentridae.—A subocular shelf; entopterygoid 
present ; palate toothless; teeth conical or incisor-like; lower 
pharyngeals completely united into one bone. Vertebrae with 
transverse processes from the fourth or fifth; ribs inserted on the 
transverse processes, When these are present. <A single nostril 
on each side. Gill-membranes free from the isthmus; 5 to 7 
branchiostegal rays; gills 34; pseudobranchiae present. Dorsal 
fin elongate, with numerous strong spines; anal with 2 spines 
only. Ventral fins with 1 spine and 5 soft rays. 
Small fishes of the tropical and warm seas, resembling the 
Chaetodontidae in form and mode of life, lkewise usually 
of brilliant coloration; in structural characters intermediate 
between the Cichlidae and the Labridae. They feed chiefly on 
small marine animals, but the species with incisor-like teeth are 
entirely or mainly herbivorous. Over 150 species are known. 
Principal genera: Heliastes, Azurina, Amphiprion, Premnas, 
Dascyllus, Pomacentrus, Glyphidodon, Microspathodon. 
