Mobula Rays need more MPAs (and so does all marine life!)

       

Species - Bentfin devil ray
Picture of the Week: Munk's Devil Ray

     It is a scuba diver’s dream to float beside the breathtaking wingspan of a Mobula ray as it soars through the water column like a bird in zero gravity flight. Mobula are known for flying underwater and above, making leaps up to 2 meters into the air and landing with a smack that echoes across the ocean surface. There are eleven major species of Mobulidae throughout the world. The Mobula thurstoni, also known as the bentfin devil ray, is one of the most widely distributed yet poorly documented Mobula species. Recent identification of individual bentfin devil rays in the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago in Brazil has the potential to strongly defend the importance of Marine Protected Areas worldwide.

The Fernando de Noronha Archipelago (FNA) is a UNESCO heritage site. It has notably high biodiversity with a large zooplankton biomass and essential habitats for various species of fish, turtles and marine mammals.  The Marine protected area (MPA) covers 70% of the twenty six kilometer archipelago and the remaining 30% is an Environmental protection area. Mobula rays thrive in this environment because the currents and topography cause significant upwelling. Upwelling increases primary productivity and supports the feeding and settlement of filter feeding species such as the bentfin devil ray, who feeds primarily on euphausiids. 

The bentfin devil ray is Endangered on the IUCN Red list of threatened species. They are highly susceptible to human exploitation in the ocean because of their slow growth and reproductive rate, birthing just one pup every one to three years. The global gill plates trade and targeting by fisheries has caused its population decline worldwide. However, new records of Bentfin devil rays in the FNA are significant, suggesting the successful impact of MPAs. 

Previously, bentfin devil rays were only recorded by fishing vessels via informal and lethal means. The migratory patterns and species distribution of Mobula is largely misunderstood. Moreover, Brazil lacks documentation of ecology and distribution off its coast. However, SCUBA dive photography of the bentfin devil ray in the FNA in Brazil is growing our understanding of the importance of the protected Brazilian coastline for the persistence of the Mobulidae genus. SCUBA diver’s can use photographic images to identify species, determine sex and gage maturity of the otherwise novel genus. In recent research, divers analyzed the maturity stage of the bentfin devil rays by noticing reproductive mating scars and pregnancy in females or development of a clasper in males. Researchers compiled video and photo records collected by divers across the western equatorial ocean to track individuals of the bentfin species and their range.

From the data, researchers confirmed the bentfin devil ray as the fifth mobulidae species recorded in the FNA and discovered the first mature stages of the species in the Brazilian oceanic system. The presence of the bentfin devil ray supports that more species of tropical Mobulidae also live in the area. Additionally, sighting location ranged across the entire fracture zone of the Brazilian MPA, suggesting the region provides a migratory corridor for the bentfin devil ray and potentially many more species. 

Underwater Photography - Fourth Element

The identification of the bentfin devil ray in FNA is important for defending the value of Brazilian MPAs. The species is hard to find because its numbers are declining, yet they appear to be thriving in this region where conservation is enforced. This specific instance of identification research should inspire more oceanic regional studies. Concrete evidence of the positive impact of marine protected areas is important for sustaining them and expanding their boundaries. Committed conservationists can accumulate evidence by means of underwater photography, satellite monitoring and citizen science. By immersing ourselves in the ocean, we can gain understanding of species composition and distribute knowledge to the public and political persons to emphasize the significance of marine conservation.

Cited: Bucair, N., Mendonça, S., Araújo, C. et al. Records of bentfin devil ray, Mobula thurstoni, in a marine protected area in Brazilian Equatorial Atlantic: implications for the species’ distribution and local conservation strategies. Environ Biol Fish 105, 653–661 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-022-01266-0


Images:

Species - Bentfin Devil Ray. (n.d.). Retrieved October 23, 2022, from https://diveary.com/species/show/id/10239/name/Bentfin+devil+ray

Tu, C. (2016, June 29). Picture of the week: Munk's Devil Ray. Science Friday. Retrieved October 23, 2022, from https://www.sciencefriday.com/articles/picture-of-the-week-munks-devil-ray/

Underwater Photography. Fourth Element. (2021, August 25). Retrieved October 23, 2022, from https://fourthelement.com/underwater-photography/


Ruby Chase Blog Post 10/23/22

Comments

  1. Campbell KeyOctober 30, 2022 at 2:38 PM

    Learning more about Mobula Rays was very interesting! I have often seen photos of these rays jumping, but I did not realize there was so little known about these rays. While I am glad most of their habitat is protected, I agree with the fact that there needs to be more sustainable research conducted on the migration of this species.

    ReplyDelete
  2. GabrielDecember 3, 2022 at 9:09 PM

    I never knew that Mobula Rays could jump like that! I remember many years ago I got the chance to swim with them in the Bahamas. I'm glad that such efforts have been taken to protect them and their natural habitat. I also agree that more research needs to be put in to determine their migration patterns and overall lifestyles.

    ReplyDelete

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