Prince Alfred's Ray
Mobula birostris
- Class
- Cartilaginous fish
- Rarity
- Epic
- Observations
- 461
- Most observed in
- 🇲🇽 Mexico
- Conservation
- Endangered
Description
The giant oceanic manta ray, giant manta ray, oceanic manta ray, or pelagic 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 mantas are closer related to some Mobula species than these are to other Mobula, being claded together. As a result, the two Manta species were absorbed into Mobula to reflect the new classification.
Summary adapted from the Wikipedia article “Giant oceanic manta ray”.