Do you know the difference between manta and mobula rays? Due to their similar appearance, these marine creatures are often mistaken for one another. However, while they are closely related and may look very similar, they have several distinct differences that set them apart.
Getting to Know Mobulid Rays as a Species
The term “mobulid rays” refers to the genus encompassing both manta rays and devil rays, gentle, intelligent sea creatures that are harmless to humans. As a part of the Mobulidae family, there are around 10 species of Mobula rays. Seven are considered to be devil rays, while the other three are classified as manta rays.
About Mobulas (Devil Rays)
The devil ray is the smaller relative of the manta ray. Its name comes from the cephalic fins on their head, which resemble a pair of horns. These fins are used to direct plankton into their mouth.
Little is known about devil rays due to their shy nature and they tend to avoid humans, so they’re a bit harder to spot in the wild as opposed to their close relatives. They are also characterized by their unique ability to leap out of the water, even reaching heights over 2 meters. This behavior is believed to be one of their ways to communicate with one another or to attract rays during a mating event.
About Manta Rays
Closely related to devil rays, manta rays are typically larger than other rays. Not just that, they also have the biggest brains compared to other fish. They are gentle, graceful, and curious, often seen approaching and even swimming along divers in the ocean.
Currently, there are at least two types of manta rays: reef manta ray (Mobula alfredi) and giant oceanic manta or oceanic manta ray (Mobula birostris). In addition, there may be a third species of manta ray found in tropical waters and reefs of the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, known as the ‘Atlantic manta ray’ (Mobula cf. birostris). The Atlantic manta is said to coexist with the oceanic manta, but plays a role similar to the reef manta.
Some researchers believe that the Atlantic manta might have originated from oceanic mantas that traveled into the Caribbean, found ample food near the reef, and eventually evolved into a new species. However, whether the Atlantic manta is truly a distinct species is still under debate.
Differences Between Manta and Devil Rays
1. Appearance
Generally, mantas look larger with triangular-shaped or diamond-shaped bodies and rounded wing tips. Their dorsal is usually black, dark grey, or dark brown in color, with light grey shoulder patches across the top side. Meanwhile, their underside or ventral side is lighter, with unique spots that are used for identification.
Mobula rays tend to have rounded or kite-shaped bodies with smaller pectoral fins. They typically have horn-like protrusions on their head, which are believed to help them sense prey. Their dorsal side has dark colors, usually dark gray to black, and some of them have small spines or bumps on the dorsal surface, particularly near the dorsal fins. Their ventral side is usually lighter in color, sometimes with markings or spots.
2. Wingspan
The size of oceanic manta rays typically ranges from 4-7 meters, making them the largest rays. Some can even reach over seven metres. Reef manta rays, on the other hand, have a wingspan that usually ranges from 3-4.5 meters (6-8 feet).
On the other hand, mobulas are smaller than mantas. Though there are several species of mobula rays, most usually have a wingspan reaching up to 3 meters.
3. Mouth Placement and Gill Structure
The manta’s mouth is located at the front of their body, which gives them a distinctive appearance. This front-facing mouth makes it easy for them to catch plankton and small fish as they glide through the water. They also have large and flexible cephalic fins on either side of their heads, which are used to direct plankton into their mouths.
Mantas have five pairs of gill slits on their underside. As filter feeders, the mantas have specialized gill plates. However, they are often hunted illegally because of their them. The high demand for this particular body part of theirs has resulted in a significant decline in their population. The IUCN even listed the oceanic manta ray as Endangered, while the reef mantas are listed as Vulnerable. This is because the reef mantas’ habitat, usually found in the reefs along the coastal areas, often falls within national marine sanctuaries with strict regulation and protection. This manta ray threats need conservation efforts to save their population.
Meanwhile, the mouth of a mobula ray is typically located on the underside of the body. They also possess a pair of cephalic fins, but these fins are smaller and less distinct than those of manta rays. In addition, the mobulas have gill plates with two pairs of slits on their underside that help them with filter-feeding. Because of their smaller size and mouth positioning, they are less targeted for trade. However, they still face threats from fishing, bycatch, and habitat loss.
4. Spines and Tails
The mantas generally have a long, slender tail that lacks any stinger or spine, making them completely harmless to humans. This unique feature is also what makes mantas distinct from other types of rays.
Mobulas, on the other hand, typically have shorter tails. Some of their species also possess stingers on their tails, but they’re not as prominent as other stingray species.
5. Migration Patterns
Depending on the species, the mantas have different migration patterns. Oceanic mantas have extensive migration routes throughout the tropical and subtropical oceans. This pattern is influenced by several factors, such as the availability of plankton blooms, water temperature, and breeding cycles. This migration pattern is also important for divers to find the best places and times to scuba dive with manta rays, so divers can have ample opportunities to spot them.
Reef manta rays tend to stick in certain regions, particularly areas near the coast, coral reefs, or islands. Their migration patterns are often more localized and shorter compared to their cousins, often traveling between feeding and cleaning stations or breeding grounds. They can also form seasonal aggregations at certain sites with plankton blooms, breeding sites, or cleaning stations, where cleaner fish can clean them.
On the other hand, the migration patterns of the mobula ray or the devil ray are more varied and less predictable. Species, environmental conditions, and food availability can influence these patterns. In general, many devil ray species have shorter migration distances, often staying within a certain region as the reef mantas do.
6. Social Behaviors
Both oceanic and reef mantas are generally known as solitary creatures. This means you’ll mostly find them swimming alone or with only one or two other individuals. They do gather in groups in some instances, such as for feeding, near cleaning stations, or during mating seasons.
In contrast, the mobulas are often observed in large schools, sometimes even in groups of hundreds or even thousands. The gatherings of these group of rays often occur when these rays are feeding or migrating. Mobula rays are also famous for their breaching action, where they jump out of the water. Scientists believe that these behavior are used to attract a mate or to communicate with other rays.
7. Lifespan
Both the oceanic and reef mantas have long lifespans, able to live up to 40 to 50 years in the wild. Meanwhile, the mobulas have shorter lifespans. They typically live for around 15 to 20 years in the wild.
Are Mobula Rays and Manta Rays Dangerous?
In general, the manta and devil rays are known as gentle and not dangerous to us, especially because both of them only eat plankton and small fish and most of them don’t have stingers. However, when diving with them, you should always maintain a safe distance, avoid touching or chasing them, and familiar with the guide to diving with manta rays.
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