 However, classification varies somewhat, and the most recent (2011) study confirms the circumscribed Characidae as monophyletic.Currently, 18 families, about 270 genera, and at least 1674 species are known.The suborder Citharinoidei, which contains the families Distichodontidae and Citharinidae, is considered the sister group to the rest of the characins, suborder Characoidei.