Environment

Secret world of the giant manta ray

by Simples | November 29, 2009 at 08:43 am

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World of mysteries: the oceans and its creatures

Science does not reach the mysteries that Nature hides!

Nature also reacts to attacks

Mantas could be one of the most intelligent creatures in the ocean

Until recently it was thought there was only one species of manta ray but Dr Marshall realised many of the rays - that can grow up to 23ft long - displayed different markings and behaviour.

Film crew dives into the incredible secret world of the giant manta ray

Gliding through the oceans like ghosts these mysterious manta rays have been captured in unique footage filmed off the coast of Mozambique.

The results of a tagging study showed that one of the giants Magellan swam 700 miles in 60 days

The 30 year old researcher concluded she was observing two separate species of mantas - one of them totally new to science. The larger mantas kept the name Manta birostris, while Dr Marshall named the reef-going mantas Manta alfredi, after an early biologist.

The experienced diver has been based in the coastal African country since 2003. She spent last year swimming with the black-winged creatures alongside a film crew for a BBC documentary.

Source:
dailymail.co.uk

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Uwe Paschen

at 09:39 on November 29th, 2009

If you have trouble with the Highlight tool please to PM a Staff member to assist you.

Simples

at 09:59 on November 29th, 2009

I'll do that now, thank Paschen.

Can you help please?

Uwe Paschen

at 21:14 on November 29th, 2009

PM Amy Judd she is best equipped to help you here if this Highlight tool link does not help you.

Simples

at 19:13 on November 29th, 2009

I have been in contact with Amy Judd.

Thanks for everything, Paschen!

Xerife1

at 09:13 on November 30th, 2009

Manta Rays: A new species?

A second, and possibly third, species of manta ray has been discovered in the World’s oceans. This is the biggest news to date to come out of ray research, and its importance is the marine equivalent of discovering an unknown species of elephant. The discovery however, has implications that go far beyond the breaking news of scientific journals, as it will deeply affect real world conservation ideas and policies.

Andrea Marshall diving with a manta
Andrea studies a manta ray off Mexico.
For the past five years the Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF) has sponsored Andrea Marshall, a PhD marine biologist in a quest to make advances in the scientific knowledge of these winged beauties of the sea, whose large triangular pectoral fins can span almost 8m in width and whose weight can reach over 2000kg. Manta rays, which are totally harmless and do not possess a stinging barb, are the largest of over 500 different species of rays and skates, and although divers have noted variations in physical appearance they were previously believed to be the same kind.

www.saveourseas.com/manta-rays-a-new-species

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Saving Whales - Saving dolphins

at 18:47 on November 30th, 2009

The photo story ‘Feeding Frenzy’ by Save Our Seas Foundation Chief Photographer Thomas P. Peschak appears in the July issue of National Geographic magazine. The 32 different language editions of the magazine will introduce the manta rays of the Maldives and the pioneering research of Save Our Seas Foundation scientist Guy Stevens to more than 50 million readers. Watch the video below to experience first hand the trials and tribulations of this assignment and see 200 manta rays and half a dozen whale sharks feast on krill in the newly proclaimed Hanifaru marine protected area. This is the low resolution video for slower connections. There is also a high-bandwidth version

Manta Rays (Low Resolution Video Version) Save Our Seas In National Geographic Magazine
Feeding Frenzy