11/18/2023 0 Comments Size of giant manta ray![]() The giant manta ray has the largest brain of all the world’s fishes, and much remains to be discovered about its intelligence and social interactions. Studies have suggested that there may be a third species of manta ray, but more evidence is needed before the species are split further. Reef manta rays also differ in having a white to grey rather than dark mouth, and the dark spots on their underside are more extensive. The white shoulder patches of the reef manta ray form a ‘Y’ shape and gradually fade into the black of the back, whereas those of the giant manta ray form a ‘T’ shape and are clearly distinct from the black back. The giant manta ray grows larger than the reef manta ray (Manta alfredi), and also has a non-functional tail spine, which is absent in the reef manta ray. Manta rays were previously considered to be a single species, but have recently been split into two separate species based on differences in size, appearance, habitat and behaviour. Each giant manta ray possesses a unique pattern of blotches, spots and scars that can be used to identify individuals. Nearly all-white individuals have also been documented. Dark spots are often visible on this white patch. The giant manta ray also occurs in a striking ‘black morph’, which is completely black above and mostly black below, except for a variably sized white area around the gills and belly. The giant manta ray also has dark colouration around and inside its mouth. There is usually a prominent black, semi-circular mark behind the fifth gill slit on each side of the body, and the rear margins of the pectoral fins have dark shading. The underside of the giant manta ray is largely cream to white, with varying degrees of dark spots and patches, mainly on the belly. There may also be small patches of white on the tips of the pectoral fins. These conspicuous white patches occur on either side of a dark midline, and are more or less triangular or chevron-shaped, with hook-like extensions to the sides. Most individuals belong to a ‘chevron morph’, which is predominantly black above and white below, with large white ‘shoulder’ patches on the back. The colouration of the giant manta ray can be quite variable. ![]() The cavernous mouth is positioned at the front of the head and has rows of tiny, peg-like teeth on the lower jaw. The giant manta ray’s eyes are located on the sides of its head, and its gills are on the underside of the body. The tail of the giant manta ray is slender and slightly flattened, and is shorter than the width of the disc-like body. The broad, disc-like body of the giant manta ray is just over twice as wide as it is long, and there is a smalldorsal fin on the back, with a rudimentary spine immediately behind it, on the upper side of the tail. The lobes are rolled into a spiral when the giant manta ray is swimming. Known as ‘cephalic lobes’, these are forward extensions of the pectoral fins which form a funnel-like structure while feeding, helping to channel plankton-filled water into the mouth. The giant manta ray has a distinctive body shape, with triangular pectoral ‘wings’ and paddle-like lobes extending in front of the mouth. This giant fish is notable for its sheer size, with anecdotal reports of individuals measuring up to 9.1 metres across. Everything must happen quickly as both mantas begin to sink and will soon need to detach to breath.The largest living ray and one of the largest of all elasmobranchs, the giant manta ray (Manta birostris) is a stunning and graceful member of the devil ray family (Mobulidae). He clamps down on her fin, simultaneously swinging his body so that they momentarily are belly to belly and one of the male’s claspers do the rest. The actual act is likely to last only a few seconds and goes a bit like this: on the female’s signal both manta rays swim up to the surface, and the male uses his tiny teeth to bite onto the female’s left pectoral fin. ![]() It’s suspected that the male follows the female and mates with her once she has given birth. There are plenty of knowledge gaps concerning the finer details of oceanic manta ray courtship, however what we do know is that in NZ male mantas pair with a heavily pregnant female. Therefore, it’s not surprising to find out that when a male oceanic manta ray finds a suitable lady friend, he doesn’t let her out of his sight! Romance quickly turns into an endurance test, as the male shadows the female for what is likely to be an extensive amount of time. Finding the perfect partner is tricky at the best of times, so dating in the great expanse of the open ocean is likely to be quite a challenge. ![]()
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