The giant oceanic manta ray, giant manta ray, or oceanic manta ray,
(Mobula birostris) is a species of ray in the family Mobulidae, and the
largest type of ray in the world. It is circumglobal and is typically
found in tropical and subtropical waters, but can also be found in
temperate waters.Until 2017, the species was classified in the genus
Manta, along with the smaller reef manta ray (Mobula alfredi). DNA testing
revealed that both species are more closely related to rays of the genus
Mobula than previously thought. As a result, the giant manta was renamed
as Mobula birostris to reflect the new classification.
Description
The giant oceanic manta ray can grow to a disc size of up to 7 m (23 ft)
across with a weight of about 3,000 kg (6,600 lb) but average size
commonly observed is 4.5 m (15 ft).It is dorsoventrally flattened and has
large, triangular pectoral fins on either side of the disc. At the front,
it has a pair of cephalic fins which are forward extensions of the
pectoral fins. These can be rolled up in a spiral for swimming or can be
flared out to channel water into the large, forward-pointing, rectangular
mouth when the animal is feeding. The teeth are in a band of 18 rows and
are restricted to the central part of the lower jaw. The eyes and the
spiracles are on the side of the head behind the cephalic fins, and the
gill slits are on the ventral (under) surface. It has a small dorsal fin
and the tail is long and whip-like. The manta ray does not have a spiny
tail as do the closely related devil rays (Mobula spp.) but has a
knob-like bulge at the base of its tail.
