![]() ![]() ![]() The new naming convention is displayed in the diagram below, taken from the online report. ![]() hypostoma (Atlantic devil ray) have been brought together under the latter naming convention, despite a range of small physical variations. rochebrunei (lesser Guinean devil ray) and M. eregoodootenkee, despite differences in the length of their cephalic lobes (the small fins present either side of the mouth), and M. kuhlii broadened to include the excitingly named M. mobular (giant devil ray) the pygmy devil ray M. japanica (spinetail devil ray) has been reclassified as a smaller variety of M. A single genus is now recognised (where there were previously two) and eight nominal species (where there were previously 11)’įor the same reasons, other species of mobula have also been integrated: M. As stated in the report: ‘results from this study are used to revise the taxonomy for the family Mobulidae. Physical differences in size and shape do not always distinguish different creatures on a genetic level – the human race being a perfect example – and therefore as a consequence of the study, henceforth the animals formerly known as ‘manta’ are to be formally classified as Mobula birostris and Mobula alfredi. Mantas (L) have terminal mouths, at the front of the body whereas mobula (R) have subterminal mouths, slightly behind the front However, the report concludes that this very distinctive physical difference does not warrant the separation of the genera, as the genetic makeup of the species is otherwise very similar. The primary physical difference between mantas and mobulas is the location of the mouth, which is terminal in mantas, (that is at the front of the body), and subterminal in mobulas ( postioned slightly behind the front of the body). A possible third species, Manta birostris sensu, is the subject of research by Dr Andrea Marshall of the Marine Megafauna Foundation, but has yet to be formally classified. Two species of manta, Manta birostris (the giant, or oceanic manta) and Manta alfredi (reef manta) had previously been classified under a separate genus, primarily for their morphological (physical) differences to other mobulidae. The full scientific report is available from the Zoological Journal of the Linnaean Society, but the short version is that the first complete study of the genetic makeup from all known species of the mobulidae family has shown that manta and mobula are much more closely related at a genetic level than first thought, and also that three species of mobula are, in fact, virtually identical to three others. Revillagigedo Archipelago & Guadalupe Island. ![]()
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