Sightings of mobulid rays from northern New Zealand, with confirmation of the occurrence of Manta birostris in New Zealand waters

Data from 31 sightings of mobulid rays from New Zealand are summarised. Mobulid rays are common to locally abundant off north-east North Island, New Zealand during summer and early autumn. Collection records and sightings data indicate the spine-tailed devil ray (Mobula japanica) is the most abundan...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:New Zealand journal of marine and freshwater research 2003-12, Vol.37 (4), p.715-721
Main Authors: Duffy, C. A. J., Abbott, D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
devil ray
Manta birostris
manta ray
Marine
Mobula japanica
Mobulidae
Mobulinae
New Zealand
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Summary:Data from 31 sightings of mobulid rays from New Zealand are summarised. Mobulid rays are common to locally abundant off north-east North Island, New Zealand during summer and early autumn. Collection records and sightings data indicate the spine-tailed devil ray (Mobula japanica) is the most abundant mobulid in New Zealand waters. Photographic and video evidence confirming the occurrence of the manta ray (Manta birostris) in New Zealand waters is presented. Estimated disc widths for New Zealand M. birostris ranged from 200 to 790 cm. Unlike in tropical regions, mobulid rays are largely confined to the epipelagic zone off New Zealand.
ISSN:0028-8330
1175-8805
1175-8805
DOI:10.1080/00288330.2003.9517201