Chromis howsoniis a newly described species of damselfish from that factory of new species in Papua New Guinea called Milne Bay. The golden-brown coloredChromis howsoniis very closely related toChromis ambionensisdiffering primarily in coloration and habitat selection.
Chromis howsoniis yellowish brown in body color with yellow pelvic and anal fins, with a blue eye and a golden yellow area in the center of the caudal fin. MeanwhileChromis amboinensisis silvery blue in color overall with only a yellow spot at the base of the pectoral fins, with whitish clear pelvic and anal fins.
24 specimens ofC. howsoniwere collected at relatively shallow depth of 17 to 20m (56-65 feet) around Milne Bay and Oro Provinces of Papua New Guinea. BothChromis howsoniandC. amboinensisoccur in PNG but the goldenC. howsoniis the only species seen in sheltered coastal inlets whereas on exposed reefsC. amboinensisis the dominant species.
The new species of golden damselfish from Milne Bay is described by Gerald Allen and Mark Erdmann in theJournal of the Ocean Science Foundation.