Gobiodon howsoni Allen, 2021
Howson's coralgoby

Family:  Gobiidae (Gobies), subfamily: Gobiinae
Max. size:  2.71 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range - 12 m
Distribution:  Eastern Indian Ocean: Western Australia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 9-9; Vertebrae: 26-26. This species is distinguished by the following characters: colouration pattern: semitranslucent greyish with a bifurcate white stripe straddling the spinal column, back with a narrow brown stripe extending from the side of the nape to the caudal peduncle, and a wider brown stripe on the ventral part of the body extending from the pectoral-fin axil to the caudal peduncle; some smaller individuals (less than about 2.0 cm SL) have a strong yellow tint on the head and body, and lack the dorsal-most brown stripe on the side; differs from most of its congeners in having a relatively low number of pectoral-fin rays 15-17, usually 16; D VI+I,10; A I,9 (rarely I,8); branched caudal-fin rays usually 15 (sometimes 14, especially specimens < 16 mm SL), anterior dentary has a single enlarged canine posterior to the main band of smaller teeth, and the aperture of the genital papilla reaching or nearly reaching anal-fin origin when adpressed (Ref. 125637).
Biology:  Occurs in lagoon coral reefs, sheltering among dense branches of Acropora corals, especially A. longicyanthus (Ref. 125638).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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