Manta Ray

The manta ray (Manta birostris) is the largest species of the rays. The largest known specimen was more than 7.6 metres (25 ft) across, with a weight of about 1,300 kilograms (2,900 lb). It ranges throughout tropical waters of the world, typically around coral reefs. They have the largest brain-to-body ratio of the sharks, rays and skates (Elasmobranchii).[2]

Mantas have a variety of common names, including Atlantic manta, Pacific manta,devilfish, and just manta. At one time it was thought that there were many species of manta. However, the modern scientific consensus has been that there is just one species,[3] a view supported by mitochondrial DNA studies.[4]

Recent studies have suggested that manta rays actually comprise at least two different species, the giant manta (Manta birostris), which migrates, and another smaller one called the reef manta (Manta alfredi), which does not.[5] [6] [7] The use of the "alfredi" name is questionable. The species alfredi was first used in the description of Prince Alfred's manta ray by Krefft in 1868.[8] [9] Modern genetic studies have shown that Ceratoptera alfredi (Krefft, 1868), revised as Manta alfredi(Krefft, 1868), is a synonym of Manta birostris (Donndorff, 1798). The genus is generally considered to be in need of worldwide revision. Even the accepted nameManta birostris is often incorrectly ascribed to Walbaum (1792).

Taxonomy
Manta rays are bottom-feeders, and adapt in the open ocean filter feeders. This feeding strategy allowed them to grow larger than other ray species. Some ancestral characteristics degenerated due to the feeding change. For example, all that remains of the oral teeth is a small band of vestigial teeth on the lower jaw, almost hidden by the skin. The number and size of their dermal denticles are also reduced. Manta rays have a much thicker mucus body coating than other rays. Their spiracles have become small and non-functional, as all water is consumed orally. Mantas have a tail similar to stingrays, but they have lost their stinger and are harmless to divers.[10]

Behaviour
Mantas feed on plankton, fish larvae and the like, filtered from the water passing through their gills as they swim. They catch small prey organisms on flat horizontal plates of russet-colored spongy tissue spanning spaces between the manta's gill bars.

Manta rays frequently visit cleaning stationswhere small fish such as wrasse, remora, andangelfish swim in the manta's gills and over its skin to feed, in the process cleaning it of parasites and dead tissue.

Large sharks and in some circumstances orcas, are manta's main predators.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-10" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal;">[11]

<p style="margin: 0.4em 0px 0.5em; line-height: 1.5em;">Mantas breach the surface and launch into the air.

<p style="margin: 0.4em 0px 0.5em; line-height: 1.5em;">The breeding behaviour observed for manta rays is similar to other closely related rays. Copulation occurs near the surface, no deeper than a metre below. It begins with the male chasing the female, for up to half an hour. The male bites the pectoral fin and then moves its claspers into the cloaca, holding it there for a minute to a minute and a half.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-11" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal;">[12]

In captivity
<p style="margin: 0.4em 0px 0.5em; line-height: 1.5em;">Manta rays are very rarely kept in captivity, primarily due to their size. Only four aquariums in the world display manta rays.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-12" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal;">[13] One notable example is "Nandi", a manta ray that was accidentally caught in shark nets off Durban, South Africa in 2007. Rehabilitated, and outgrowing her aquarium, uShaka Marine World, Nandi moved to the larger Georgia Aquarium in August 2008, where she resides in its 6.2-million-gallon "Ocean Voyager" exhibit. A second manta ray joined that aquarium's collection in September 2009, dubbed "Tallulah." A third manta ray has recently been added to the Ocean Voyager exhibit.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-13" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal;">[14]

<p style="margin: 0.4em 0px 0.5em; line-height: 1.5em;">The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium also houses manta rays in the "Kuroshio Sea" tank, the second-largest aquarium tank in the world. On June 16, 2007, the first manta ray born in captivity was born at the aquarium. Although the pup born in 2007 did not survive, the aquarium has also since seen the birth of two more manta rays in 2008 and 2009.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-14" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal;">[15]

<p style="margin: 0.4em 0px 0.5em; line-height: 1.5em;">The Lisbon Oceanarium also hosted a manta ray before releasing it in 2007. A manta ray was hosted again in 2008.

In culture
<p style="margin: 0.4em 0px 0.5em; line-height: 1.5em;">The ancient Peruvian Moche people worshipped the sea and its animals. Their art often depicts manta rays.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-15" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal;">[16] Not knowing about their gentle nature, two 1930s movies played on the manta's "fearsome" appearance: 1930's The Sea Bat, starring a pre-FrankensteinBoris Karloff, and 1936's The Sea Fiend, later re-issued as the 1946 Devil Monster.

<p style="margin: 0.4em 0px 0.5em; line-height: 1.5em;">In 2009, SeaWorld Orlando debuted Manta, a flying roller coaster themed to resemble the manta ray, along with an exhibit featuring other ray species. A similar attraction will debut at SeaWorld San Diego in 2012.

<p style="margin: 0.4em 0px 0.5em; line-height: 1.5em;">The original Opel Manta A sports coupe build in the 70s in Germany derives its name from its distinctive front section that is designed to imitate the shape of the Manta rays "face".

<p style="margin: 0.4em 0px 0.5em; line-height: 1.5em;">The American alternative rock band Pixies has also recorded songs called "Manta Ray" and "Dancing the Manta Ray." In 2010, the alternative band Ludo released a song titled "Manta Rays."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-16" style="line-height: 1em; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal;">[17]