New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research abstracts
Short communication
Sightings of mobulid rays from northern New Zealand, with confirmation
of the occurrence of Manta birostris in New Zealand waters
C. A. J. Duffy
Department of Conservation
P.O. Box 112
Hamilton, New Zealand
email: cduffy@doc.govt.nz
D. Abbott
Dive Tutukaka
Marina Road
Tutukaka, New Zealand
Abstract 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.
Keywords Mobulinae; manta ray; Manta birostris;
devil ray; Mobula japanica; New Zealand
M03034 Received 3 July 2003; accepted 25 August 2003; Online publication
date 31 October 2003
New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 2003, Vol. 37:
715-721
0028-8330/03/3704-0715 $7.00 © The Royal Society of New Zealand
2003
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