![]() Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 118: 151-164.Īllen, G.R. Evidence of brain-warming in the mobulid rays, Mobula tarapacana and Manta birostris (Chondrichthyes: Elasmobranchii: Batoidea: Myliobatiformes). Mobula birostris (Walbaum 1792) ReferencesĪlexander, R.L. The specific name birostris refers to the two horn-like cephalic lobes: bi- (= two) and rostrum (= snout). EPBC Act 1999 : Listed Migratory speciesĭiffers from Manta alfredi in size, coloration, morphometric measurements, and in having a caudal spine in a post-dorsal protuberance (Marshall et al., 2009).Their gill rakers, which are thought to reduce blood toxins, are increasingly being traded in the lucrative Traditional Chinese Medicine Industry. Mantas are targeted in many parts of their range, and almost all of the fish is used. Giant Manta Ray populations have suffered from over-fishing as these slow-swimming giants are an easy target. (2016) found that Giant Manta Rays off Ecuador feed in surface waters, along with the mesopelagic zone. Mantas have gills modified into complex sieving plates through which filter plankton from the water.īurgess et al. Manta rays have a broad mouth at the end of the head with a single band of minute teeth in the upper jaw. They have two cephalic lobes on the front of their heads that help direct water flow into the mouth. Grows to a disc width (DW) of at least 7 metres, and possibly to more than 9 metres. Giant Manta Rays aggregate around Ningaloo Reef during autumn and winter. Widespread, although relatively uncommon in Australian waters also Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Christmas Island in the eastern Indian Ocean. Elsewhere the species is circumglobal - usually offshore, often around oceanic islands, sometimes coastal, and most common in tropical waters. 557.Mobula birostris (Walbaum 1792) More Info Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Redescription of the genus Manta with resurrection of Manta alfredi (Krefft, 1868) (Chondrichthyes Myliobatoidei Mobulidae). Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. They are sometimes observed leaping out of the water and landing back on the surface with a loud slap. Other behaviours and adaptationsĭespite most individuals being seen swimming slowly, the Giant Manta Ray is capable of swimming at rapid speed. The planktonic organisms are filtered from the water by the gills. The shape of the whitish-coloured shoulder patches is also a good character - those of the Alfred Manta "eminate from spiracle before curving medially" but those of the Giant Manta Ray are "very distinct and approximately triangular in shape".ĭr Mike Bennett (see Marshall et.al, 2009 in References, below) stated that "The dorsal views are much more difficult to resolve as there is pretty large variability….but look for the lump at the tail base and that can be your quick check….if it is there = birostris, absent = alfredi."ĭivers sometimes see Giant Manta Rays swimming gracefully through the water feeding on plankton. The Giant Manta Ray has no spots between the gill slits. The easiest way to distinguish live fish is by the presence of dark spots on the ventral surface medially between the gill slits of the Alfred Manta. The Giant Manta Ray and Alfred Manta, Manta alfredi, can be distinguised by a number of measurements but also by size, dentition and spine morphology. Long thought to have been a single wide-ranging species, Mobula birostris, the genus is now known to comprise two species. Two species of Manta are known from Australian waters. Giant Manta Rays are grey-blue to green-brown above. They have a very broad mouth, on either side of which are prominent fleshy extensions called cephalic lobes. The surface of the body is rough to touch. ![]() The species has one dorsal fin and a whip-like tail which lacks a sting. The disc of the Giant Manta Ray is wider than it is long. ![]() ![]() The Giant Manta Ray is the largest species of ray in the world.
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