Scientists Uncover Giant Manta Ray Species That Could Hide a Surprise Twice the Size of Your Car Garage
M. yarae is now the third documented species of manta ray, along with the giant oceanic manta (Mobula birostris) and the reef manta (Mobula alfredi). Marshall was one of the scientists involved in the discovery of the reef manta in 2009.
“It was huge for me as an early career scientist and such a privilege to go through every step of the process, which, toward the end, included traveling around the globe to document their respective ranges across the world’s oceans,” Marshall wrote in an Instagram post about the yet-to-be-named Atlantic manta ray discovery in 2022. “Did I ever expect to do something like that again? Hell no.”
The Atlantic manta ray shares some physical traits with the other two species of manta ray, but the features that set it apart are its distinctive dark belly spots, V-shaped white shoulder patches, and notably light coloration around the mouth and eyes.
The Discovery Of The Atlantic Manta Ray Is Important For Conservationists
Janneman Conradie/Marine Megafauna FoundationMarshall first spotted the third species of manta ray off the coast of Mexico.
The official discovery of the Atlantic manta ray can aid scientists in pursuing conservation work. Scientists can now better tailor their recommendations and studies to each specific species of manta ray, resulting in more effective conservation and protection.
The Atlantic manta ray, for example, is particularly vulnerable to boat strikes and getting caught in fish lines due to their habitat by the coastline.
Now that this species has been identified, scientists can better protect it. However, there is still much to be learned about M. yarae.
Post Comment