Two phyletic lines are present in the Percidae: the Percinae, in which the anteriormost interhaemal bone is much larger than the posterior ones and the anal spines usually are well developed, and the Luciopercinae, in which the interhaemal bones are of uniform size and the anal spines are poorly developed. Parallel evolution has produced in each subfamily small, benthic, rheophilic forms with depressed or terete bodies and reduced or vestigial swimbladders. This differentiation is shown by dividing each subfamily into two tribes. Within the Percinae, the Etheostomatini (Percina,Ammocrypta, andEtheostoma) are interpreted as derivatives of the Percini (Perca,Gymnocephalus[=Acerina], andPercarina). The North American speciesPerca flavescensis distinguished from the Eurasian speciesP.fluviatilisandP.schrenkion the basis of the more posterior position of the predorsal bone. In the Luciopercinae, the Romanichthyini (Zingel[=Aspro] andRomanichthys) have evolved from the Luciopercini (Stizostedion[includingLucioperca]).Key words: Percidae, systematics, zoogeography, evolution