New Discovery

Vanderhorstia dawnarnallae, A New Species of Shrimpgoby from Indonesia

Vanderhorstia dawnarnallae is the newest species for shrimpgoby from West Papua Province, Indonesia. The new shrimpgoby is about 1.5 inches in length, collected from a depth of 10-20 m. The color on the new goby is greyish to yellowish white with clusters of blue and yellow spots. The new species is named dawnarnallae in honour of Dawn Arnall, a person who funded the expedition and provides critical support & advice to the Bird’s Head Seascape marine conservation initiative that now protects the habitat of this new species.

Vanderhorstia dawnarnallae-1
Vanderhorstia dawnarnallae, Venu Island, West Papua Province, Indonesia. (M.V. Erdmann)

The species is currently known only from the locality about 80 km southwest of the town of Kaimana, West Papua Province, Indonesia. The habitat consists of a gently sloping bottom with clean white sand, an area exposed to periodic strong currents, at a depth of about 10–20 m. An estimated 20 individuals were observed in an area of approximately 30 m2. They were seen mainly in pairs but occasionally solitary, although invariably associated with an unidentified snapping shrimp of the genus Alpheus that share burrows, a symbiotic relationship found in all Vanderhorstia spp.

Vanderhorstia dawnarnallae, underwater photograph of adult pair, approximately 40 mm SL, with symbiotic alpheid shrimp, Venu Island, West Papua Province, Indonesia (M.V. Erdmann)

Vanderhorstia dawnarnallae is closely compared with Vanderhorstia wayag and Vanderhorstia phaeosticta which look quite similar in color pattern.

Vanderhorstia phaeosticta
Vanderhorstia phaeosticta, (B) male, (C) female, both Timor Leste (G.R. Allen)
Vanderhorstia wayag
Vanderhorstia wayag (B), underwater photograph, approx. 40 mm SL, Raja Ampat Islands, West Papua Province, Indonesia (G.R. Allen)

There is much more to the newly discovered shrimpgoby and one can read more in-depth at Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation.

Must Read: Luciogobius yubai, A New Species of Goby From Japan

Shaan

Like always it's my day one in the hobby. Always been a hobbyist but never knew would dive so deep in the hobby. I too started with a freshwater aquarium. When I first started saltwater aquarium it just grew on me and I knew that had to do more in this hobby. I am a Post-Grad in Business Administration have worked with Coldstar Logistics, Amazon and Jindal's before jumping completely in the ocean. Other than aquarium hobby I have my interests in travel, digital games and consumer web technology.

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