Published December 28, 2020 | Version v1
Journal article Open

Natural history of manta rays in the Bird's Head Seascape, Indonesia, with an analysis of the demography and spatial ecology of Mobula alfredi (Elasmobranchii: Mobulidae)

  • 1. Institute of Marine Science, The University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010 New Zealand 2 The Manta Trust, Catemwood House, Norwood Lane, Corscombe, Dorset, DT2 0NT, United Kingdom
  • 2. Conservation International New Zealand, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010 New Zealand
  • 3. The Manta Trust, Catemwood House, Norwood Lane, Corscombe, Dorset, DT2 0NT, United Kingdom
  • 4. Conservation International Indonesia, Sorong, West Papua, 98416 Indonesia
  • 5. Misool Resort, Raja Ampat, West Papua, 98483 Indonesia
  • 6. Conservation International Indonesia, Jakarta, 12550 Indonesia
  • 7. Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Waikato, Hamilton, 3216, New Zealand
  • 8. UPTD KKPD Raja Ampat, Waisai, Raja Ampat, West Papua, 98482 Indonesia
  • 9. Conservation International Indonesia, Pariwari, Fakfak, West Papua, 98611 Indonesia
  • 10. Centre for Fisheries Research, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Jakarta, Indonesia
  • 11. Eagle Ray Project Mexican Caribbean, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, México

Description

The Bird’s Head Seascape (BHS) in West Papua, Indonesia, is widely recognized as the global epicenter of coral reef biodiversity and is protected by an extensive network of 20 marine protected areas (MPAs) totaling over 4.7 million ha. It is home to large populations of both the reef manta ray Mobula alfredi (Krefft, 1868) and the oceanic manta Mobula birostris (Walbaum, 1792). We document the natural history of manta rays in the BHS and describe the demographics and spatial ecology of Mobula alfredi using underwater and aerial observations.

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