Page 256 - Melanesia

Eagle Rays, Manta Rays and Stingrays

E agle Rays - Eagle rays feed on mollusks longheaded eagle ray, Aetobatus flagel- shaped cephalic fins located on either side
and crustaceans, crushing their shells lum, which is a widespread but uncommon of their mouths. The name “manta” is Span-
ish for cloak or blanket, a type of blanket-
with their flattened teeth, while devil and species of Indian Ocean and western Pacific shaped trap traditionally used to catch rays.
They are protected in international waters
manta rays filter plankton from the water. coasts. This is considered an endangered by the Convention on Migratory Species of
Wild Animals, but are more vulnerable clos-
They are excellent swimmers and are able species due to huge pressure from fisheries er to shore. Areas where mantas congre-
gate are popular with tourists. Only a few
to breach the water up to several metres throughout its range. Eagle rays live close aquariums are large enough to house them.
In general, these large fish are seldom seen
above the surface. Compared with other to the coast in depths of 1 to 30 m and in and difficult to study. Manta rays are Chon-
drichthyes, fish with tough cartilage rather
rays, they have long tails, and well-defined exceptional cases they are found as deep than bone in their skeletons. As filter feed-
ers, manta rays consume large quantities of
rhomboidal bodies. They are ovoviviparous, as 300 m. The eagle ray is most commonly zooplankton in the form of shrimp, krill and
planktonic crabs. An individual manta eats
giving birth to up to six young at a time. seen cruising along sandy beaches in very about 13% of its body weight each week.
The greatest threat to manta rays is over-
They range from 48 centimetres (19 in) to shallow waters, its two wings sometimes fishing. In 2011, mantas became strictly
protected in international waters thanks to
9.1 metres (30 ft) in length. The spotted breaking the surface and giving the impres- their inclusion in the Convention on Migra-
tory Species of Wild Animals.
eagle ray, Aetobatus narinari, also known as sion of two sharks traveling together.

the bonnet ray or maylan, belongs to this M anta Rays - The larger species, M.
genus. The ray bears numerous white spots birostris, reaches 7 m (23 ft) in width
on its inky blue body. It has a span width

of 2.5 m (8 ft) and a maximum reported while the smaller, M. alfredi, reaches 5.5

weight of 230 kg (about 507 lbs). Includ- m (18 ft). Both have triangular pectoral

ing the tail, it can reach up to 5 m (16 ft) in fins, horn-shaped cephalic fins and large,

length. The spotted eagle ray is found in forward-facing mouths. The largest mantas

the tropical areas of all oceans, including can reach 1,350 kg (3,000 lb). Manta rays

the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. are known for their large size, broad heads,

The genus also includes the much smaller triangular pectoral fins, and the horn-