[1] Based on the Westneat & Alfaro (2005) molecular phylogenetic study, the wrasses of the tribe Cheilinini are most closely related to parrotfish (tribe Scarini); cheilines and scarines are sister groups.

[1] Although the 4 genera in Cheilinini do form a monophyletic clade with each other, their relationship with each other is somewhat problematic as the genus Cheilinus appears to be paraphyletic.

At the time, the adjective "cheilinin" was used to describe fish in the tribe Cheilinini.

However, Westneat & Alfaro (2005) showed that "pseudocheilines" and "cheilines" were not each other's closest relatives.

As Doratonotus was not included in study, it's placement relative to Cheilinini is uncertain.