Manta — Atlantic

The Atlantic Manta Ray: Unveiling a New Giant For decades, marine biology recognized only two species of manta ray: the coastal-dwelling reef manta and the far-roaming giant oceanic manta. However, in , scientists officially described a third distinct species—the Atlantic manta ray ( Mobula yarae ). Named after "Yara," a water spirit from Indigenous Brazilian mythology, this species represents a breakthrough in our understanding of marine biodiversity in the Western Atlantic. Distinguishing the Atlantic Manta

: They are frequently caught in non-selective fishing gear like drift gillnets. atlantic manta

Like all members of the genus Mobula , Atlantic mantas are . They use their paddle-like cephalic fins to scoop plankton and small crustaceans into their wide, terminal mouths. The Atlantic Manta Ray: Unveiling a New Giant

: They possess the largest brain-to-body weight ratio of any living fish, contributing to their reputation for curiosity and social interaction with divers. Distinguishing the Atlantic Manta : They are frequently

The Atlantic manta ray is endemic to the . Its habitat stretches from the northeastern United States (as far north as Massachusetts) down to southeastern Brazil.

: They possess V-shaped white shoulder patches that taper toward the back, unlike the T-shaped, even-width markings of the giant oceanic manta.