Oceanic Manta Ray (species: Mobula birostris) in Kimberley Coast (Gaia Guide)
Kimberley Coast > Mobula birostris (gallery)
Mobula birostris
Oceanic Manta Ray


©Jon Hanson: Oceanic Manta Ray (Mobula birostris)

©jon hanson on Flickr: Oceanic Manta Ray (Mobula birostris)

©Tim Lindenbaum: Manta ray (Mobula birostris)

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Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Elasmobranchii
Order Myliobatiformes
Family Mobulidae
Genus Mobula
Species Mobula birostris
Status near threatened

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Distinguishing features

Distinguishing features still need to be specified.

Size

  • Up to 460 cm (Length of specimen)

Weight

  • Up to 2400 kg

Wingspan

  • Up to 760 cm - applies to This is a maximum recorded measurement from wingtip to wingtip.

Depth range

  • From 0 m to 120 m

Synonyms

Comments

Occurrence of Manta birostris at Lizard Island has not been confirmed. 

by Anne Hoggett

Interesting facts

  • Manta rays have the largest brain-to-body ratio of the sharks, rays and skates, with ratios approaching what is expected in mammals rather than in fishes (Wikipedia).

Distribution


©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution

Distribution and habitat preferences

Mainly in near-shore waters, near coral and rocky reefs; sometimes found over deep water. Reported along productive coastlines with regular upwelling, oceanic island groups and offshore pinnacles and seamounts. Penetrates shallow muddy bays and the intertidal and occurs off river mouths.

Web resources

References

  • Last, P.R. and J.D. Stevens (2009). Sharks and Rays of Australia.: 2nd Edition CSIRO Publishing, Australia.