For many decades, scientific research assumed that only two manta rays existed within the genus of devil rays: the reef manta ray (Mobula alfredi) and the giant manta ray or oceanic manta ray (Mobula birostris).
It has now been confirmed that a third species of manta ray exists: the Atlantic manta ray (Mobula yarae). It takes its name from Yara, a water spirit of Brazilian mythology ("lady of the waters"). It inhabits tropical and subtropical waters along the western coasts of the Atlantic Ocean, from the eastern United States to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean.
How is a new animal species discovered? Usually, chance plays a role, as was the case here. The Atlantic manta ray was discovered a few years ago by Andrea Marshall, the world's leading manta ray expert, who had already driven the subdivision of the two previous species in 2009. "It had taken me 6 years to distinguish the first two species, and I knew them inside out at that point." This is why she immediately noticed characteristics on a manta ray in Mexican waters that did not seem to fit: "This manta ray looked like neither of them." She immediately suspected a third species.
The Atlantic manta ray (Mobula yarae) exhibits a combination of features from both known manta ray species. From above, the black dorsal coloration and pectoral fin shape resemble a giant oceanic manta ray (M. birostris). On the underside, the lighter facial and spot patterns resemble a reef manta ray (M. alfredi).
The key distinguishing features are:
- Shoulder patches: M. yarae has distinct "V-shaped" white shoulder patches, in contrast to the "T-shaped" patches in M. birostris
- Facial coloration: Lighter coloration around the mouth and eyes compared to the darker faces of M. birostris
- Ventral markings: Dark spots that are typically restricted to the abdominal region and do not extend between the gills as in M. alfredi
- Size: Can reach 5-6 metres, similar to M. birostris, although many observed individuals are smaller juveniles and are often found in coastal waters like M. alfredi.
Andrea Marshall and her Marine Megafauna Foundation (MMF) were collaborating with international partners to publish a formal description of this new species when she suffered a severe brain aneurysm and stroke in early 2024. The formal description was completed by an international research team led by Brazilian researcher Nayara Bucair from the University of São Paulo, with Jessica Pate continuing the collaboration on behalf of the Marine Megafauna Foundation (MMF) and providing Andrea's data and observations.
ElasmOcean is proud of this scientific success of our scientific advisory board member Andrea Marshall, to whom we also continue to wish all the best on her road to recovery. We congratulate the entire scientific team as well as the team of our partner organisation, the Marine Megafauna Foundation (MMF).
May the third manta ray species in the Atlantic thrive - we are also keeping watch and are committed to its protection!
The detailed report by the Marine Megafauna Foundation (MMF) can be found on the NGO's homepage: https://marinemegafauna.org/news/third-manta-ray-species-mobula-yarae-discovered-in-atlantic-ocean
