Spinetail mobula

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Spinetail mobula
Spinetail mobula osaka.jpg
Exhibited individuals at Osaka Aquarium
CITES Appendix II (CITES) [2]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Subclass: Elasmobranchii
Order: Myliobatiformes
Family: Mobulidae
Genus: Mobula
Species:
M. japanica
Binomial name
Mobula japanica
Synonyms
  • Cephaloptera japanica
  • Mobula japanica

The spinetail mobula (Mobula japanica), also known as the spinetail devil ray or Japanese mobula ray, is a species of pelagic marine fish which belongs to the family Mobulidae. The spinetail mobula gets its name due to its devil like appearance from the "horns" on its head and the unique spines on its tail. Generally, these rays love to be mobile and show off their aerial acrobatics. M. japanica can be found throughout the tropical and sub-tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific and eastern Atlantic Ocean.

Contents

Taxonomy

Mobula japanica falls under the order Myliobatiformes and family Mobulidae. The Mobulidae family is a family of rays, manta rays and devilfish specifically, consisting of 10 species. The IUCN suggests that the species should be considered conspecific with the devil fish (Mobula mobular) [3] [4] Due to its low population growth and low reproduction rates, there isn't much variability or "branch off" species from M. japanica. Recently, a study found no genetic difference between north-west Pacific, north-east Pacific, Indian and east Atlantic ocean populations of M. japanica, suggesting the hypothesis of geographic isolation. [5]

Given that all the M. japanica are genetically identical worldwide, it seems relatively stagnant in its position in the phylogeny. [6]

Description

The spinetail mobula ray is a large ray which can grow up to a maximal width of 3.1 m (10 ft); average width is 2.3 m (7 ft 7 in). [7] [8] Like most rays, it is dorsoventrally flattened, also known as a depressed body form, and has relatively large triangular pectoral fins on either side of the main body disc that sit slightly convex. At the front, it has a pair of cephalic fins which are forward extensions of the pectoral fins. These can be rolled up in a spiral for swimming or can be flared out to channel water into the ventral mouth when the animal is feeding. M. japanica's eyes sit on the side of the head, while the mouth is on the underside for convenient filter feeding as it swims through the ocean. [9]

The background body coloration of the dorsal side is deep blue-mauve with a large black band stretches from eye to eye. The ventral side is white. The inner surface of the cephalic fins are silver-grey with black tips, while the outer surface and side behind eye are white. The coloration of M. japanica serves as protection from predators, such as larger sharks and killer whales, both above and below them in the water column. When looking down, their dark dorsal slide allows them to blend in with the deep blue below and when looking up, their white ventral side allows them to appear homogenous with the lighter surface hit with sunlight. [11]

Moubla japanica is often mistaken for its relative, the giant manta ray (M. birostris), however the species can be distinguished from other large rays by its projecting head, narrower head and body, subterminal mouth, small spine at the base of the tail, a white-tipped dorsal fin [10] . Its spiracle is just above the area where the pectoral fin meets the body. [11]

Spinetail Mobula Ray (M. japanica) M japanica.jpg
Spinetail Mobula Ray (M. japanica)

Distribution and movement

The spinetail mobula is a mobile species, usually traveling in small groups together. [9] They are assumed to have a circumglobal distribution in tropical and temperate waters, both inshore and offshore and fully oceanic. Their widely distributed pattern has to do with factors such as food availability and water column dynamics, with which they adapt accordingly based off of the surrounding ecosystem and environment. [9] The southern Gulf of California appears to be an important mating and pupping ground. [1]

Limited studies have shown that they have a preference for more warm and shallow waters like the Gulf of Mexico, Mediterranean Sea, and southwest Pacific Ocean. However, one study in particular found that despite their "preference", the spinetail mobula distribution is directly related to seasonal upwelling systems with high productivity in the cold coastal waters, such as the eastern Pacific Ocean. [12] Ultimately, their movement is dictated by environmental conditions that affect the zooplankton they follow. This makes them highly susceptible to environmental changes such as ocean acidification and global warming. [10] During the months before summer, many individuals of M. japanica inhabit the continental shelf before migrating to tropical waters for the rest of the year. [13] Although many studies have been done, spatial constraints and low sample sizes prohibit full understanding of the relationship between the rays' spatial distribution and the conditions of the environment around them. [5]

A recent study following the depth and temperatures at which these organisms reach within a 24 hour time period shows that M. japanica spend the days in deeper waters and then undergo a nocturnal migration to the surface at night to feed. [5]

M. japanica Global Distribution Map M. japanical global distribution map.png
M. japanica Global Distribution Map

Feeding

Mobulajapanica is a filter feeder, meaning they feed on small organisms, such as zooplankton or small crustaceans, by straining nutrient rich water through their system. As previously mentioned, their movement is highly correlated to the food abundance causing them to readily move up and down the water column. [15] During upwelling events, Spinetail Mobula Rays rush to the coasts and take advantage of the boost in zooplankton and nutrient abundance. [6]

Scientists conducted a study that measured the diversity and abundance of a random group of M. japanica. This provided a better understanding for the specific details of the Spinetail Mobula Ray's diet. The study found 5 different groups that made up the stomach contents: decapods, copepods, gastropods, Polychaeta and other prey. [6] With decapods being the highest percentage, at 99.54%, their label as plankton filter feeders is further confirmed. They are classified as omnivorous animals, yet can be carnivorous if given the opportunity. [6]

M. japanica Diet Breakdown M. japanica diet percentage breakdown.png
M. japanica Diet Breakdown

Biology

The spinetail mobula ray has a pelagic lifestyle and has been observed both alone and in groups. It feeds on zooplankton by filtering sea water.

As all Mobulidae, species is ovoviviparous. After mating, the fertilized eggs develop within the female's oviduct. At first, they are enclosed in an egg case while the developing embryos feed on the yolk. After the egg hatches, the pup remains in the oviduct and receives nourishment from a milky secretion. [17] The pup is 70–85 cm in disc width at birth. [7] Females typically only give birth to one pup. [13]

They have low somatic growth rate, low annual reproductive output, and low maximum population growth rates, suggesting they have low productivity. [18]

Threats and conservation

The spinetail mobula is threatened by both targeted and accidental capture in various fishing methods. Despite conservation efforts, global landings of these rays have risen due to gill plate demand. The gill plates are used in traditional medicines to treat a range of ailments, including cancer. [10] Commercial and artisanal fisheries target M. japanica in their warm water habitats. In addition, this species is also a victim of bycatch, getting caught in gill and trawl nets intended for other species.

Furthermore, due to their movement around the world being tied closely to the environment that influences the distribution of zooplankton, they are more susceptible to environmental changes such as ocean acidification and global warming. [18] The effects of climate change can throw off natural systems and processes that drive zooplankton abundance in many parts of the world, which then in turn would affect M. japanica by stretching the geographic ranges by which they comfortably live or by changing them biologically to adapt to these new conditions. [12] Especially due to their low reproductive rates, late maturity and slow growth, the Spinetail Mobula Ray is particularly vulnerable and it would take a while to recover from depletion or exploitation. [19]

Additionally, habitat destruction and pollution pose indirect threats to their survival. [20] However, with more push for legislation to protect our oceans and Earth in general, this species could still reap the benefits of that.

Voters have the power to spark more conservation efforts under laws and policies. For example, spinetail mobula rays are protected under the Wildlife Act of 1953 in New Zealand's territory. Hunting, killing, or harming devil rays in general can lead to up to $250,000 and six months in prison. [10] If more places around the world could adopt policies like this, we could see drastic change in the conservation status of M. japanica and other rays.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manta ray</span> Subgenus of fishes

Manta rays are large rays belonging to the genus Mobula. The larger species, M. birostris, reaches 7 m (23 ft) in width, while the smaller, M. alfredi, reaches 5.5 m (18 ft). Both have triangular pectoral fins, horn-shaped cephalic fins and large, forward-facing mouths. They are classified among the Myliobatiformes and are placed in the family Myliobatidae. They have the largest brains and brain to body ratio of all fish, and can pass the mirror test.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mobulidae</span> Family of cartilaginous fishes

The Mobulidae are a family of rays consisting mostly of large species living in the open ocean rather than on the sea bottom.

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Devil ray may refer to:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rajiformes</span> Order of fishes in the superorder Batoidea

Rajiformes is one of the four orders in the clade Batomorphi, often referred to as the superorder Batoidea, flattened cartilaginous fishes related to sharks. Rajiforms are distinguished by the presence of greatly enlarged pectoral fins, which reach as far forward as the sides of the head, with a generally flattened body. The undulatory pectoral fin motion diagnostic to this taxon is known as rajiform locomotion. The eyes and spiracles are located on the upper surface of the head and the gill slits are on the underside of the body. Most species give birth to live young, although some lay eggs enclosed in a horny capsule.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pelagic fish</span> Fish in the pelagic zone of ocean waters

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Smooth hammerhead</span> Species of shark

The smooth hammerhead is a species of hammerhead shark, and part of the family Sphyrnidae. This species is named "smooth hammerhead" because of the distinctive shape of the head, which is flattened and laterally extended into a hammer shape, without an indentation in the middle of the front margin. Unlike other hammerheads, this species prefers temperate waters and occurs worldwide at medium latitudes. In the summer, these sharks migrate towards the poles following cool water masses, sometimes forming schools numbering in the hundreds to thousands.

<i>Mobula</i> Genus of cartilaginous fishes

Mobula is a genus of rays in the family Mobulidae that is found worldwide in tropical and warm, temperate seas. Some authorities consider this to be a subfamily of the Myliobatidae. Their appearance is similar to that of manta rays, which are in the same family, and based on genetic and morphological evidence, the mantas belong in Mobula.

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<i>Mobula munkiana</i> Species of cartilaginous fish

Mobula munkiana, commonly known as the manta de monk, Munk's devil ray, pygmy devil ray, smoothtail mobula, or Munk’s pygmy devil ray, is a species of ray in the family Mobulidae. They are commonly mistaken for their close relatives, M. thurstoni and M. mobular. Although they are the smallest of the species in genus Mobula, they make up for their size with their incredible speed and agility. These characteristics are a likely explanation for their lack of natural predators, although they have been known to be hunted by orcas and are often fished by humans. One of the defining characteristics of this group are their acrobatic performances that are conducted while jumping in the air in schools of thousands. It is thought that these spectacles are a functional part of their lifestyle, including kickstarting mating rituals. The species was first described in 1987 after the Italian ecologist Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara observed one of these acrobatic spectacles and decided to name them after his scientific mentor, Walter Munk.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chilean devil ray</span> Species of cartilaginous fish

The Chilean devil ray, also known as the box ray, greater Guinean mobula, sicklefin devil ray or the spiny mobula, is a species of ray in the family Mobulidae. It is often observed worldwide, basking just below the surface in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate oceans, mainly offshore, and occasionally appearing near the coast. It can reach a disc width of up to 3.7 m (12 ft).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bentfin devil ray</span> Species of cartilaginous fish

The bentfin devil ray, also known as the lesser devil ray, smoothtail devil ray, smoothtail mobula or Thurston's devil ray, is a species of ray in the family Mobulidae. It is found worldwide in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate oceans, with records from Australia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United States (California), Uruguay, Vanuatu and throughout the central and western Pacific. It likely occurs in many other locations in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate oceans. It is found both offshore and near the coast.

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References

  1. 1 2 White, W.T.; Clark, T.B.; Smith, W.D.; Bizzarro, J.J. (2006). "Mobula japanica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2006: e.T41833A10576180. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2006.RLTS.T41833A10576180.en .
  2. ↑ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  3. ↑ di Sciara, G. N.; Stevens, G.; Fernando, D. (2020). "The giant devil ray Mobula mobular (Bonnaterre, 1788) is not giant, but it is the only spinetail devil ray". Marine Biodiversity Records. 13 (1): 1–5. Bibcode:2020MBdR...13....4N. doi: 10.1186/s41200-020-00187-0 .
  4. ↑ Poortvliet, M.; Olsen, J.L.; Croll, D.A.; Bernardi, G.; Newton, K.; Kollias, S.; O'Sullivan, J.; Fernando, D.; Stevens, G.; Magaña, F.G.; Seret, B. (2015). "A dated molecular phylogeny of manta and devil rays (Mobulidae) based on mitogenome and nuclear sequences" (PDF). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 83: 72–85. Bibcode:2015MolPE..83...72P. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2014.10.012. PMID   25462995.
  5. 1 2 3 Francis, Malcolm P.; Jones, Emma G. (February 2017). "Movement, depth distribution and survival of spinetail devilrays ( Mobula japanica ) tagged and released from purse-seine catches in New Zealand". Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems. 27 (1): 219–236. Bibcode:2017ACMFE..27..219F. doi:10.1002/aqc.2641. ISSN   1052-7613.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Novyanti, Fahira Anggi; Oktaviyani, Selvia; Ismail, Moch. Rudyansyah; M.S., Yuniarti; Khan, Alexander M.A (2023-06-06). "Biological Aspects and Feeding Habits of Spinetail Devil Ray (Mobula mobular) landed in the Palabuhanratu Nusantara Fishing Port". Jurnal Kelautan Tropis. 26 (2): 215–222. doi: 10.14710/jkt.v26i2.16068 . ISSN   2528-3111.
  7. 1 2 Notarbartolo di Sciara, G. (1987). "A revisionary study of the genus Mobula Rafinesque, 1810 (Chondrichthyes: Mobulidae) with the description of a new species". Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 91 (1): 1–91. doi:10.1111/j.1096-3642.1987.tb01723.x.
  8. ↑ McEachran, J.D.; Notarbartolo di Sciara, G. (1995). "Mobulidae. Mantas, diablos". In W. Fischer; F. Krupp; W. Schneider; C. Sommer; K.E. Carpenter; V. Niem (eds.). Guia FAO para Identification de Especies para los Fines de la Pesca. Pacifico Centro-Oriental. Rome: FAO. pp. 759–764.
  9. 1 2 3 "Devil Fish". Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. February 5, 2024. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  10. 1 2 3 4 "Spine-tailed devil ray". www.doc.govt.nz. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
  11. ↑ "Mobula japanica". Encyclopedia of Life.
  12. ↑ Lezama-Ochoa, Nerea; Hall, Martin A.; Pennino, Maria Grazia; Stewart, Joshua D.; López, Jon; Murua, Hilario (2019-08-07). Kimirei, Ismael Aaron (ed.). "Environmental characteristics associated with the presence of the Spinetail devil ray (Mobula mobular) in the eastern tropical Pacific". PLOS ONE. 14 (8): e0220854. Bibcode:2019PLoSO..1420854L. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0220854 . ISSN   1932-6203. PMC   6685623 . PMID   31390369.
  13. 1 2 "Spinetail Devil Ray Species Guide". Manta Trust. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  14. ↑ Claireelizabethhh (2024-11-13), japanical global distribution map.png English: M. japanical global distribution map , retrieved 2024-11-14{{citation}}: Check |url= value (help)
  15. ↑ Pardo, Sebastián A.; Kindsvater, Holly K.; Cuevas-Zimbrón, Elizabeth; Sosa-Nishizaki, Oscar; Pérez-Jiménez, Juan Carlos; Dulvy, Nicholas K. (2016-09-23). "Growth, productivity and relative extinction risk of a data-sparse devil ray". Scientific Reports. 6 (1): 33745. Bibcode:2016NatSR...633745P. doi:10.1038/srep33745. ISSN   2045-2322. PMC   5034314 . PMID   27658342.
  16. ↑ Claireelizabethhh (2024-11-13), japanica diet percentage breakdown.png English: M. japanica diet percentage breakdown , retrieved 2024-11-14{{citation}}: Check |url= value (help)
  17. ↑ Wourms, J.P. (1977). "Reproduction and development in chondrichthyan fishes". American Zoologist. 17 (2): 379–410. doi: 10.1093/icb/17.2.379 .
  18. 1 2 Lezama-Ochoa, N; Lopez, J; Hall, M; Bach, P; Abascal, F; Murua, H (2020-12-17). "Spatio-temporal distribution of spinetail devil ray Mobula mobular in the eastern tropical Atlantic Ocean". Endangered Species Research. 43: 447–460. doi: 10.3354/esr01082 . ISSN   1863-5407.
  19. ↑ "Species | Sharks". www.cms.int. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
  20. ↑ "IUCN updated assessment of the spinetail species".
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