672 



TELEOSTEI 



Asprotilaina, Erdmodus, Plecoclus, Fsetulctrojjhis. American : 

 Acara, Hcros, Eygrogomis, Ciclila, CrenicicMa, Chaetolranchus, 

 Geopliagus, Syniphysodon, Pteroj^hyllum. Indian : Utrojdus. 



No part of the world surpasses Lake Tanganyika in variety of 

 generic and specific types of Cichlidae, the fish-fauna of this 

 great lake being in great majority made up of members of tliis 

 fajnily. 



Fig. 411. — Distribution of the Cichlidae. 



Priscacara, from the Eocene of Xorth 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 3^ ; 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, likewise usuall)' 

 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 : Heliastcs, Azurina, Amphiprion, Prevmas, 

 Dascyllus, Pomacentrus, Glyphidodon, MicrospatJwdon. 



