Behaviour, socio-ecology and sexuality in damselfishes (Pomacentridae)

Site attachment, social organization and reproduction trails of the damself ish (Pomacentridae), based on field observations and cytology of gonads, ar e described. This fish family includes both solitary and gregarious species , as well as species of an intermediate nature. Many of the species are mon odomous, using a specific, permanent habitat, whereas others are polydomous , occurring in different habitats or changing their habitat with age. Some of the species are monomorphic, developing their permanent colour when very young, whereas others are polymorphic, demonstrating different colour morp hs as juveniles, particularly blue and yellow patterns. The damselfishes in clude gonochorists, with predetermination of sex, protogynous and protandro us hermaphrodites, and bisexual types in which the gonadal primordium bears both types of gonia. With few exceptions, the polydomous species are prima rily gonochorists, and the monodomous ones are hermaphrodites, in which sex determination is socially controlled depending on the type and composition of the surrounding group of conspecifics.