PHYLOGENETIC-RELATIONSHIPS OF THE POMACANTHIDAE (PISCES, TELEOSTEI) INFERRED FROM ALLOZYME VARIATION

Phylogenetic relationships of 31 pomacanthid species representing all genera were investigated by horizontal starch gel electrophoresis. Nei 's genetic distances (D) were calculated and dendrograms constructed f rom allozyme variation in 23 loci. The average D value was 0.03 betwee n conspecific colour variants, 0.40 between congeneric subgenera, and 1.27 between confamilial genera. From the dendrograms the following we re revealed: (1) the generic status of Apolemichthys arcuatus and Hola canthus venustus, as well as the generic and subgeneric status of Cent ropyge multifasciata were confirmed; (2) the subgeneric status of Xiph ypops was confirmed; (3) Pygoplites diacanthus was found to be closely related to members of the subgenus Pomacanthus; (4) Pomacanthus zonip ectus was found to be biochemically distinct from its con-subgeners; ( 5) the genera Pomacanthus and Holacanthus are more closely related tha n currently thought; (6) the Genicanthus species might warrant a subfa mily of their own.