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<p>Pigmentation disorders such as melanism, albinism, and leucism are among elasmobranchs. Leucism is a genetic disorder governed by a single recessive allele, resulting in a partial or total absence of skin pigmentation, while the iris pigmentation remains intact. This study reports the first confirmed record of a leucistic oceanic manta ray (<i>Mobula birostris</i>) in Revillagigedo National Park, Mexico, and the northernmost record in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. The individual was observed opportunistically during two scuba dives, one at San Benedicto Island in December 2015 and the other at Socorro Island in January 2016. The manta ray was identified as a subadult male with an estimated disc width between 350 and 400&#xa0;cm. Given the rarity of leucistic manta ray records, plausible causes of this pigmentation disorder, such as genetic mutations or population-level effects, are discussed in the paper. This study emphasizes the need for further research on the distribution, behavior, and migratory patterns of leucistic manta rays in the region.</p>

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Northernmost record of a leucistic Mobula birostris in the Eastern Tropical Pacific

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年10月23日

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  • Paul A. Preciado-González,
  • Edgar M. Hoyos-Padilla,
  • Jesús Erick Higuera-Rivas

摘要

Pigmentation disorders such as melanism, albinism, and leucism are among elasmobranchs. Leucism is a genetic disorder governed by a single recessive allele, resulting in a partial or total absence of skin pigmentation, while the iris pigmentation remains intact. This study reports the first confirmed record of a leucistic oceanic manta ray (Mobula birostris) in Revillagigedo National Park, Mexico, and the northernmost record in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. The individual was observed opportunistically during two scuba dives, one at San Benedicto Island in December 2015 and the other at Socorro Island in January 2016. The manta ray was identified as a subadult male with an estimated disc width between 350 and 400 cm. Given the rarity of leucistic manta ray records, plausible causes of this pigmentation disorder, such as genetic mutations or population-level effects, are discussed in the paper. This study emphasizes the need for further research on the distribution, behavior, and migratory patterns of leucistic manta rays in the region.