Giant devilray (Mobula mobular)

Description

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Giant devilray fact file

• Description
• Biology
• Range
• Habitat
• Status
• Threats
• Conservation
• Find out more
• Glossary
• References
• Print factsheet

Giant devilray description

The immense, graceful giant devilray (Mobula mobular) has large, pointed pectoral fins which enables it to traverse great stretches of ocean with gentle wing-like beats. The upper surface of the giant devilray is dark, whilst beneath it is mostly white ⁽³⁾. Species in the family Mobulidae are the only living vertebrates to possess three pairs of functioning limbs ⁽⁴⁾; the pectoral fins, pelvic fins and cephalic fins. The cephalic fins, which are situated on the head and point forward and slightly down ⁽³⁾, gave rise to their common name due to their resemblance to devil horns. The mouth is situated on the underside, between the cephalic fins, and at the base of the slender tail is a serrated spine ^{(3) (5)}.

Also known as

devil fish, devil ray.

French

Mante.

Size

Disc width: up to 520 cm ⁽²⁾

Length: up to 650 cm ⁽²⁾

Giant devilray biology

The gregarious giant devilray tends to move around in groups, swimming close to the surface ^{(2) (5)}. They apparently make long migrations ⁽²⁾, and show a preference for stretches of ocean traversed by strong currents ⁽⁵⁾. The giant devilray feeds on plankton and small pelagic fishes ^{(1) (2) (5)}, which are strained out of the water ⁽⁴⁾. Their horn-like cephalic fins assist in feeding ⁽⁵⁾.

Giant devilrays are ovoviviparous ⁽²⁾, a method of reproduction in which embryos develop within eggs that remain inside the mother’s body until they hatch. The gestation period is long, lasting about 25 months, and results in only one, or rarely two, pups born in summer ⁽²⁾. These newborn devilrays can measure up to an astonishing 180 centimetres in width ⁽²⁾.

Giant devilray range

The giant devilray occurs in the Mediterranean and in the eastern Atlantic, from the English Channel south to Senegal, the Azores and the Canary Islands ⁽¹⁾.

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Giant devilray habitat

The giant devilray inhabits offshore, deep waters and occasionally can also be found in shallow waters ⁽¹⁾.

Giant devilray status

The giant devilray is classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List ⁽¹⁾.

Giant devilray threats

Although the giant devilray is not targeted by fisheries, it is accidentally captured at threatening levels, such as by swordfish and tuna fisheries ^{(1) (2)}. A decline in habitat quality, particularly in the Mediterranean, is also likely to be impacting populations of giant devilray, though to what extent is not known ⁽¹⁾. Its preference for inhabiting the surface of the oceans makes the giant devilray vulnerable to disturbance from maritime traffic and oil spills ⁽¹⁾.

Giant devilray conservation

In 2005, the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean adopted a measure to ban trawling below 1,000 metres and banned driftnets throughout the Mediterranean ⁽⁶⁾. This is likely to have substantially reduced the threat of by-catch to the giant devilray in the Mediterranean. Raising awareness with fishermen to maximise the number of giant devilrays that are disentangled and released unharmed after accidental capture has also been recommended as an important measure to protect this magnificent oceanic animal ⁽¹⁾.

View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

Find out more

For further information on the conservation of sharks and rays: 

• Save Our Seas Foundation:
  http://www.saveourseas.com/
• Manta Trust:
  http://www.mantatrust.org/

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Glossary

By-catch

In the fishing industry, the part of the catch made up of non-target species.

Cephalic fins

Thick, flap-like, fleshy appendages on the head of of Mobulidae species. Actually modifications of the anterior portion of the pectoral fin, they are used to funnel plankton and other prey items into the mouth.

Gestation

The state of being pregnant; the period from conception to birth.

Pectoral fins

In fish, the pair of fins that are found one on each side of the body just behind the gills. They are generally used for balancing and braking.

Pelvic fins

In fish, the pair of fins found on the underside of the body.

Vertebrates

Animals with a backbone.

References

1. IUCN Red List (June, 2007)
   http://www.iucnredlist.org
2. Serena, F. (2005) Field identification guide to the sharks and rays of the Mediterranean and Black Sea. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome.
3. Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas (August, 2007)
   http://www.ibss.iuf.net/Atlas/medfishes/taxonomy/mobula_mobular.html
4. Nelson, J.S. (1994) Fishes of the World. Third edition. John Wiley & Sons Inc., New York.
5. Ferrari, A. and Ferrari, A. (2002) Sharks. Firefly Books Ltd., Toronto, Canada.
6. CIESM The Mediterranean Science Commission (August, 2007)
   http://www.ciesm.org/news/policy/0303.htm