Mobula alfredi, commonly known as ‘reef manta ray‘ or ‘Alfred’s stingray‘ is a species of ray belonging to the family Mobulidae. The genus name ‘Mobula‘ comes from Latin and refers to the ability of these rays to perform acrobatic jumps out of the water. The specific epithet ‘alfredi‘ was given in honor of Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, during the 19th century. This species of manta ray is distributed in tropical and subtropical waters of the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and Persian Gulf to the coasts of South Africa, and from southern Japan to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Their typical habitat includes coral reefs, coastal lagoons and continental shelves, where they are often found swimming solitary, in pairs or in small groups.
Mobula alfredi is the second largest manta ray species in the world, after Mobula birostris (giant manta ray). It can reach a wingspan of up to 5.5 meters, although the average is usually between 3 and 4 meters. Its body is flattened and disc-shaped, with triangular pectoral fins that extend to the sides, giving it a ‘winged’ appearance when swimming. The dorsal part of its body is typically dark gray or black, with characteristic white spots in the shoulder region, while the ventral part is white with dark spot patterns unique to each individual, allowing for identification. Mobula alfredi differs from its close relative, Mobula birostris, by its smaller size, the shape of its mouth (wider and with shorter cephalic lobes) and the presence of a series of dark spots at the base of the tail.
As for its feeding habits, Mobula alfredi is a specialized filter-feeder. It feeds mainly on plankton, such as copepods, fish larvae and small crustaceans. To feed, it swims with its mouth open, allowing water to pass through its gills, where structures called ‘gill rakers’ filter food from the water. They are often observed performing ‘feeding circles’, a series of acrobatic turns that allow them to capture large quantities of plankton in concentrated areas. This feeding strategy is most efficient in nutrient-rich waters, so they tend to congregate in places where plankton is abundant, such as upwellings or upwellings.
Mobula alfredi reproduction is ovoviviparous. Females give birth to live young after a gestation period that can last 12 to 13 months. Generally, they give birth to a single calf, although on rare occasions they may give birth to two. Young manta rays are born fully developed and are independent from the moment of birth. Reproduction is usually seasonal and is influenced by environmental factors such as water temperature and food availability. During the mating season, courtship behaviors including acrobatic chases and synchronized movements can be observed.
A curiosity about Mobula alfredi is its highly social behavior. Unlike many other ray species, this manta ray congregates in large groups, especially around cleaning stations on coral reefs, where cleaning fish, such as angelfish or wrasse, remove parasites and dead tissue from their bodies. This behavior not only provides them with health benefits, but also strengthens social relationships within the species. In addition, Mobula alfredi is known for its intelligence and curious behavior, often interacting with divers and displaying playful behavior, which makes it especially popular in marine ecotourism. However, despite its charisma, Mobula alfredi faces significant threats such as bycatch, pollution and habitat degradation, which has led to it being classified as ‘Vulnerable’ by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature).
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