Howson’s Coralgoby, Gobiodon howsoni Allen 2021
Howson's Coralgoby, Gobiodon howsoni, from Clerke Reef Lagoon, Rowley Shoals, Western Australia. Source: Gerald R. Allen, Fig 1, in Allen (2021) aqua, International Journal of Ichthyology 27(1):11-20. License: All rights reserved
Summary:
A semi-translucent greyish coral goby with a bifurcate white stripe straddling the spinal column, a narrow brown stripe along the back from the side of the nape to the caudal peduncle, and a broader brown stripe along the lower side from the pectoral-fin axil to the caudal peduncle. Smaller individuals (< about 20 mm SL) lack the dorsal-most brown stripe on the side, and may have a yellowish tinge.
Cite this page as:
Bray, D.J. 2023, Gobiodon howsoni in Fishes of Australia, accessed 20 Apr 2024, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/5608
Howson’s Coralgoby, Gobiodon howsoni Allen 2021
More Info
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Distribution |
Clerke Reef, Rowley Shoals, Western Australia, depth 12 m. Inhabits reef lagoons, sheltering among dense branches of Acropora corals, especially A. longicyanthus. |
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Features |
Dorsal fin VI + I,10; Anal fin I,8-9; Pectoral fin 15-17; Caudal fin branched rays 14-15, segmented rays 17; Gill rakers 1-2 + 5-8 (all rudimentary); Vertebrae 10+16. Body depth at pelvic-fin base 2.9-3.3 in SL; anterior dentary with a single enlarged posterior canine; aperture of the genital papilla reaching or nearly reaching the anal-fin origin when adpressed. |
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Biology |
Gobiodon gobies are hermaphrodites, with some species confirmed as being able to change sex in both directions in order to maintain a male and female pair in a small coral head. |
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Etymology |
This species is named in "honour of Craig Howson, a friend of many years and owner of the luxurious Australian cruise ship True North. Craig has provided the first author with numerous collecting and diving opportunities in the Australia-New Guinea region, resulting in the discovery of several new species including Gobiodon howsoni." |
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Species Citation |
Gobiodon howsoni Allen 2021, aqua, International Journal of Ichthyology 27(1): 13, Figs. 1-5. Type locality: Clerke Reef lagoon, Rowley Shoals, Western Australia, 17°16.843'S, 119°20.321'E, depth 12 m. |
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Author |
Bray, D.J. 2023 |
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Resources |
Howson’s Coralgoby, Gobiodon howsoni Allen 2021
References
Allen, G.R. 2021. Gobiodon howsoni, a new species of coral reef fish (Gobiidae: Teleostei) from Rowley Shoals, Western Australia. aqua, International Journal of Ichthyology 27(1): 11-20 See ref online
