[2] A 2005 molecular phylogenetic analysis strongly supports the monophyly of Julidini.

[1][2] It also found that the cleaner wrasse genera that traditionally comprised the tribe Labrichthyini (Labrichthys, Labropsis, Diproctacanthus, Larabicus, and Labroides), although forming a monophyletic group, were all nested within Julidini.

[2] The difficulty in resolving relationships within Julidini is a result of the rapid speciation of julidine wrasses.

It is hypothesized that the relatively warm and stable climate that followed the Early Eocene Climactic Optimum may have played a part in the diversification of julidine wrasses.

Fossil julidine wrasses such as †Coris sigismundi have been found in rocks dating to the Miocene.