![]() Southern Stingray (Dasyatis americana), Bahamas Rays diverged from sharks some 300 million years ago. Rays are notable as the other cartilaginous fishes, along with sharks – that is, their skeletons are made of cartilage, lighter and more flexible than the calcium-based material of bony fishes (Hagfish and Lampreys are also cartilaginous they’re not in my ouvre). Stingrays have the same lift capabilities but spend much of their time close to or on the seafloor. WITH FLATTENED BODIES, RAYS HAVE TAKEN THE PECTORAL FIN/HYDRODYNAMIC LIFT CONCEPT so far as to develop their pectoral fins into broad “wings.” Eagle and manta rays’ wings let them soar through the open waters like…well, eagles…flapping and gliding. Did I mention Star Power? A squadron of Spotted Eagle Rays cruises through a mangrove lagoon in the Galapagos. Stingrays lurk on the seafloor, Eagle Rays soar above the reef, Manta Rays cruise the oceans. Not only is this region notable for the presence of so many manta rays, but it has also been recently identified as the first known manta nursery.Rays are the other star-power cartilaginous fishes, outnumbering sharks in species and matching them in variety of lifestyles. Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, in particular, hosts a number of manta rays that feed off of the extensive phytoplankton found in the deeper waters alongside the underwater banks. These listings along with regulations, education, and the creation of protected areas are helping to protect the manta rays and their habitats from continued threats. ![]() These practices threaten the widely distributed and slow-growing species which has led to its listing as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Unfortunately, they are fished predominantly for their gill rakers and are often victims of bycatch in other commercial fishing efforts. Their graceful movements through the water and approachability make elusive manta rays highly attractive to divers when they can actually be found. across their wingspans making them one of the largest animals in the ocean. Manta rays can reach an impressive 25 ft. Stingrays have a mouth on the underside of their bodies that is strong enough to crush clams and crustaceans that they find along the bottom of the ocean in coastal waters. This feeding method is ideal for manta rays as they spend their time in coastal and pelagic waters where they can swim through the water column collecting tiny marine organisms. ![]() ![]() Manta rays have a wide mouth found at the front edge of their bodies with cephalic lobes (specialized, flap-like appendages) on either side that help funnel plankton and other small organisms into their mouths for filter feeding. ![]() Manta rays do not have the infamous barb found on their tails, while stingrays utilize the barb as a defense mechanism. MorphologyĪlthough they are related, stingrays and manta rays still have several differences. They also have similar tail-like appendages. Manta rays and stingrays have large, flat body shapes are very similar with heads fused directly to wide pectoral fins used for propulsion. These species are related due to their cartilaginous (the material in our noses and ears) skeletons. Manta rays and stingrays are both members of the Chondrichthyes class, which also includes species like sharks. ![]()
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