Chromis mamatapara

This species is distingushed by the following set of characters: differs from C. randalli by having D XIV (vs. XV in C. randalli, the only other congener in the area, and XII-XIII or XV in most other Indo-Pacific species), dorsal-fin rays 13-14 (vs. 10), anal-fin rays II,12 (versus II,10-11), pectoral-fin rays 18-19 (vs. 21-22), principal caudal-fin rays 8-7; spiniform procurrent caudal-fin rays 2; tubed lateral line scales 18 (vs. 21-22); posterior, mid-lateral scales with pore or deep pit 8-9; vertebrae 11 + 15; gill rakers 9-10 + 21-23; total gill rakers 30-32 (vs. 33-37); body moderately deep, depth 1.8-2.0 in SL (vs. 2.3-3.0). Colouration: tail and caudal peduncle yellow; the distal edge of caudal peduncle at junction of posterior dorsal fin with a large white spot, its diameter about width of orbit (Ref. 123146).

Dorsal spines (total): 14; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 14; Analspines: 2; Analsoft rays: 12; Vertebrae: 26

Recorded at a depth of 90 m in a rocky patch reef surrounded by a large sandy area; adults were also observed with ROV surveys at Rapa Nui at 90-230 m and Pukao at 150-190 m in rocky patch reefs surrounded by sandy areas, around rhodoliths and fields of whip coral (Stichopathes), along rock walls interspersed with sandy areas, and dead or mostly dead reefs of Leptoseris. Also observed during ROV surveys were juveniles in association with Stichopathes at Pukao at 165 m and Rapa Nui at 150-157 m (Ref. 123146).

Chromis mamatapara, mais conhecido por Donzela de Michel, é uma espécie de peixe descoberto em 2020 da família Pomacentridae do gênero Chromis, que mede entre 14,2cm - 14,9cm. Sua alimentação consiste em algas, copépodes, kril, microalgas, fitoplâncton e zooplâncton. É considerada uma espécie endêmica no momento (desenvolveram-se em uma região restrita), com ocorrência na Ilha de Páscoa (Rapa-nui), no Pacífico-Sul.

A etimologia de mamatapara no nome cientifico desta espécime, é uma palavra composta de origem rapa-nui mamata para, que significa donzela amarela.