For many decades, scientific research assumed that the genus of devily rays contained only two manta species: 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 manta species 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 coast of the Atlantic, from the eastern United States to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean.
How is a new animal species discovered? Coincidence usually plays a part, as it did here. The Atlantic manta ray was discovered a few years ago by Andrea Marshall, the world's leading manta expert, who in 2009 had already driven the division of the two previous species. 'It took me 6 years to differentiate between the first two species, and I knew them inside out by then.' That is why she immediately noticed characteristics on a manta in Mexican waters that did not seem to fit: 'This manta did not look like either of them.' She immediately suspected a third species.
The Atlantic manta ray (Mobula yarae) exhibits a mixture of characteristics from both known manta species. From above, the black dorsal coloration and pectoral fin shape resemble a giant oceanic manta ray (M. birostris). On the ventral side, 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 on M. birostris
- Facial coloration: Lighter coloration around the mouth and eyes compared to the darker faces of M. birostris
- Ventral marking: Dark spots typically confined to the abdominal region and not extending between the gills as in M. alfredi
- Size: Can reach 5-6 metres like 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 working with international collaborators 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), 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 species thrive in the Atlantic - we too are paying attention and are committed to its protection!
The detailed report by the Marine Megafouna Foundation (MMF) can be found on the NGO's homepage: https://marinemegafauna.org/news/third-manta-ray-species-mobula-yarae-discovered-in-atlantic-ocean
