<p>The family Mobulidae (genus <i>Mobula</i>), comprising manta and devil rays, represents a wide-ranging, threatened group of species. The courtship and mating behaviours of most mobulid species remain poorly understood, with the majority of the existing literature focusing on the reef manta ray (<i>M. alfredi</i>). For this study, new observations were compiled globally via Internet and YouTube searches as well as through engagement with the scientific community, with particular focus on the lesser-studied species. Each video or photographic observation was analysed and categorised based on known courtship stages. Here, we present 87 new records of courtship/mating behaviour from eight of the ten described mobulid species across 18 countries/territories. All seven stages were recorded in the study: Initiation (<i>n </i>= 17), Endurance (<i>n </i>= 71), Evasion (<i>n </i>= 52), Pre-copulation positioning (<i>n </i>= 21), Copulation (<i>n </i>= 9), Post-copulation holding (<i>n </i>= 2), and Separation (<i>n </i>= 6). The videos and photographs presented for the Atlantic pygmy devil ray (<i>M. hypostoma</i>) represent a first for this species, while the absence of any courtship or mating observations for the longhorned pygmy devil ray (<i>M. eregoodoo</i>) and the lack of new observations for the bentfin devil ray (<i>M. thurstoni</i>) demonstrate that further investigation is needed for the lesser-studied species. New records were compared to the existing literature and novel behaviours, such as male-to-male pseudo-courtship (documented in four species), were described. Our results substantially expand the body of knowledge on mobulid courtship and mating behaviours. These observations align with the previously described sequential framework, with additional refinements for individual species and novel delineations of species-specific behaviours within the defined stages.</p>

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A review of manta and devil ray courtship and mating

  • M. Carpenter,
  • A. P. Klimley,
  • A. Boggio-Pasqua,
  • M. D. Palacios,
  • A. O. Armstrong,
  • S. Hilbourne,
  • M. Guerrero,
  • M. Lapinski,
  • K. Fuentes,
  • G. M. W. Stevens

摘要

The family Mobulidae (genus Mobula), comprising manta and devil rays, represents a wide-ranging, threatened group of species. The courtship and mating behaviours of most mobulid species remain poorly understood, with the majority of the existing literature focusing on the reef manta ray (M. alfredi). For this study, new observations were compiled globally via Internet and YouTube searches as well as through engagement with the scientific community, with particular focus on the lesser-studied species. Each video or photographic observation was analysed and categorised based on known courtship stages. Here, we present 87 new records of courtship/mating behaviour from eight of the ten described mobulid species across 18 countries/territories. All seven stages were recorded in the study: Initiation (n = 17), Endurance (n = 71), Evasion (n = 52), Pre-copulation positioning (n = 21), Copulation (n = 9), Post-copulation holding (n = 2), and Separation (n = 6). The videos and photographs presented for the Atlantic pygmy devil ray (M. hypostoma) represent a first for this species, while the absence of any courtship or mating observations for the longhorned pygmy devil ray (M. eregoodoo) and the lack of new observations for the bentfin devil ray (M. thurstoni) demonstrate that further investigation is needed for the lesser-studied species. New records were compared to the existing literature and novel behaviours, such as male-to-male pseudo-courtship (documented in four species), were described. Our results substantially expand the body of knowledge on mobulid courtship and mating behaviours. These observations align with the previously described sequential framework, with additional refinements for individual species and novel delineations of species-specific behaviours within the defined stages.