Manta ray
The manta ray (Manta birostris) is the largest species of the rays. The largest known specimen was more than 7.6 metres (25 ft) across, with a weight of about 1,300 kilograms (2,900 lb). It ranges throughout tropical waters of the world, typically around coral reefs. They have the largest brain-to-body ratio of the sharks, rays and skates (Elasmobranchii),[1] a brain which is kept warm during lengthy dives to as deep as 500 metres (1,600 ft) in cold water.
| Manta ray Temporal range: Lower Miocene to Recent | |
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| Manta ray at Hin Daeng, Thailand | |
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| Genus: | Manta Bancroft, 1829 |
| Species: | M. birostris |
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| Manta birostris (Walbaum, 1792) | |
Mantas may be at least two different species, the giant manta (Manta birostris), which migrates, and another smaller one called the reef manta (Manta alfredi), which does not.[2][3][4] The genus may need revising.
Manta rays are probably at the top of the food chain. Some shark species, such as the tiger shark may hunt them.
