Species: 1
order: Myliobatiformes
Family: Mobulidae (devilrays)
Species: 5
REEF MANTA RAY
Mobula alfredi (Krefft, 1868)
IUCN Status
BIOLOGY
Maximum size:
Maturity size:
Birth size:
Litter size:
Reproductive mode:
~500cm DW
Females at ~390 cm DW
Males at ~300 cm DW
130 - 150 cm DW
Unconfirmed, but probably a single pup
Viviparous, with histotrophy
KEY FEATURES
-
Mouth at front of head (terminal)
-
No calcified mass or spine behind dorsal fin
-
Front margins of white shoulder patches curving rearwards (not parallel with front of head)
-
A small black, semicircular spot coming out of fifth gill slits
-
Spiracles slit-like, on dorsal surface behind eyes
-
Disc covered with small, non-overlapping denticles
GIANT MANTA RAY
Mobula birostris (Walbaum, 1792)
IUCN Status
BIOLOGY
Maximum size:
Maturity size:
Birth size:
Litter size:
Reproductive mode:
At least 700 cm DW, possibly up to 910 cm DW
Females at 410–470 cm DW
males at 375–400 cm DW
Unknown
Unconfirmed, but probably only a single pup
Viviparous, with histotrophy
KEY FEATURES
-
Mouth at front of head (terminal
-
A calcified mass containing an embedded spine behind dorsal fin
-
Front margins of white shoulder patches running parallel with front of the head
-
A large black, semicircular spot coming out of fifth gill slits
-
Spiracles slit-like, on dorsal surface behind eyes
-
Disc covered with prominent, strongly overlapping denticles
PYGMY DEVILRAY
Mobula kuhlii (Valenciennes, 1841)
IUCN Status
BIOLOGY
Maximum size:
Maturity size:
Birth size:
Litter size:
Reproductive mode:
At least 135 cm DW
Females at ~134 cm DW
Males at ~115 cm DW
31–34 cm DW
Single pup
Viviparous, with histotrophy
KEY FEATURES
-
Mouth subterminal on head
-
Anterior margins of pectoral fins nearly straight
-
Dorsal fin with or without a white tip
-
Tooth bands wide, about 75% of mouth width
-
Spiracles small, circular, below plane of the pectoral fins
-
Base of tail quadrangular in cross-section
GIANT DEVILRAY
Mobula mobular (Bonnaterre, 1788)
IUCN Status
BIOLOGY
Maximum size:
Maturity size:
Birth size:
Litter size:
Reproductive mode:
At least 520 cm DW, usually less than 310 cm DW
Females at ~236 cm DW,
Males at 198–205 cm DW
~90 cm DW
Single pup
Viviparous, with histotrophy
KEY FEATURES
-
Mouth subterminal on head
-
Pectoral fins moderately falcate
-
A small, serrated caudal spine present
-
A weak bony ridge present along dorsal midline
-
Spiracles slit-like, on dorsal surface behind eyes
-
Dorsal fin with a distinct white tip
CHILEAN DEVILRAY
Mobula tarapacana (Philippi, 1892)
IUCN Status
BIOLOGY
Maximum size:
Maturity size:
Birth size:
Litter size:
Reproductive mode:
At least 370 cm DW
Males at 234–252 cm DW
105–139 cm DW
Unknown, probably a single pup
Viviparous, with histotrophy
KEY FEATURES
-
Mouth subterminal on head
-
Pectoral fins strongly falcate
-
No spine present on tail
-
A strong bony ridge present along dorsal midline
-
Spiracles slit-like, on dorsal surface behind eyes
-
Dorsal fin plain, without a white tip
