Editing Manta ray (section)

==Characteristics==
[[File:Manta birostris-Thailand4.jpg|thumb|left|Dorsal view of ''M. birostris'' showing shoulder markings]]
Manta rays have broad heads, triangular [[pectoral fin]]s, and horn-shaped cephalic fins located on both sides of their mouths.<ref name=flmnh/> They have horizontally flattened bodies with eyes on the sides of their heads behind the cephalic fins, and gill slits on their [[Ventral#Dorsal and ventral|ventral]] surfaces.<ref name=flmnh/><ref name="Ebert"/> Their tails lack skeletal support and are shorter than their disc-like bodies.<ref name="Ebert"/> The [[dorsal fin]]s are small and at the base of the tail. Mantas can reach {{convert|1350|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.<ref name=flmnh/> In both species, the width is about 2.2 times the length of the body; ''M. birostris'' reaches at least {{convert|7|m|ft|abbr=on}} in width, while ''M. alfredi'' reaches about {{convert|5.5|m|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref name=glance/> Their skin is covered in [[mucus]].<ref name=Guide/>{{rp|31–32}} Mantas normally have a "chevron" coloration. They are typically black or dark on top with pale markings on their "shoulders". Underneath, they are usually white or pale with distinctive dark markings by which individual mantas can be recognized, as well as some shading.<ref name=MarshallCompagnoBennett/><ref name=Guide/>{{rp|52, 54}} Individuals can also vary from mostly black ([[melanism]]) to mostly white ([[leucism]]).<ref name=Guide/>{{rp|52–54}} These [[Polymorphism (biology)|color morphs]] appear to be products of [[neutral mutation]]s and have no effects on [[Fitness (biology)|fitness]].<ref>{{cite journal |author=Venables, S. K. |author2=Marshall, A. D. |author3=Germanov, E. S. |author4=Perryman, R. J. Y. |author5=Tapilatu, R. F. |author6=Hendrawan, I. G. |author7=Flam, A. L. |author8=van Keulen, M. |author9=Tomkins, J. L. |author10=Kennington, W. J. |year=2019|title=It's not all black and white: investigating colour polymorphism in manta rays across Indo-Pacific populations|journal=Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences|volume=286|issue=1912|doi=10.1098/rspb.2019.1879|pmid=31594509|pmc=6790782}}</ref> A pink manta ray has been observed in Australia's [[Great Barrier Reef]] and scientists believe this could be due to a [[genetic mutation]] causing [[erythrism]].<ref>{{cite web |title=How did this rare pink manta get its colour? |language=en |date=Feb 19, 2020 |author=Bethany Augliere |website=National Geographic |url=https://www.microsoftnewskids.com/en-us/kids/animals/how-did-this-rare-pink-manta-get-its-colour/ar-BB10dvoU?ocid=spartanntp |access-date=29 February 2020 |archive-date=29 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229143338/https://www.microsoftnewskids.com/en-us/kids/animals/how-did-this-rare-pink-manta-get-its-colour/ar-BB10dvoU%3Focid%3Dspartanntp |url-status=dead }}</ref> The fish, spotted near [[Lady Elliot Island]], is the world's only known pink manta ray.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rare Pink Manta Ray Spotted Near Australia's Lady Elliot Island |language=en |date= Feb 13, 2020 |author=Katherine J. Wu |website=Smithsonian Magazine |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/rare-pink-manta-ray-spotted-near-australias-lady-elliot-island-180974196/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Startling New Photos Reveal The World's Only Known Pink Manta Ray |language=en |date=Feb 18, 2020 |author=Jacinta Bowler |website=Science Alert |url=https://www.sciencealert.com/photographer-takes-incredible-new-images-of-the-only-known-pink-manta-ray}}</ref>

[[Image:Manta alfredi cruising - journal.pone.0046170.g002A.jpg|thumb|right|alt=Ventral view|'' M. alfredi'' with mouth closed, cephalic fins rolled and ventral surface showing distinctive markings]]
The two species of manta differ in color patterns, dermal denticles, and dentition. ''M. birostris'' has more angular shoulder markings, ventral dark spots on the abdominal region, [[charcoal]]-coloured ventral outlines on the pectoral fins, and a dark colored mouth. The shoulder markings of ''M. alfredi'' are more rounded, while its ventral spots are located near the posterior end and between the gill slits, and the mouth is white or pale colored. The denticles have multiple [[Cusp (dentistry)|cusp]]s and overlap in ''M. birostris'', while those of ''M. alfredi'' are evenly spaced and lack cusps. Both species have small, square-shaped teeth on the lower jaw, but ''M. birostris'' also has enlarged teeth on the upper jaw. Unlike ''M. alfredi'', ''M. birostris'' has a caudal spine near its dorsal fin.<ref name=MarshallCompagnoBennett/>

Mantas move through the water by the wing-like movements of their pectoral fins.<ref name=flmnh/> Their large mouths are rectangular, and face forward. The [[Spiracle (vertebrates)|spiracle]]s typical of rays are vestigial and concealed by small flaps of skin, and mantas must keep swimming with their mouths open to keep oxygenated water passing over their gills.<ref name=Guide>{{cite book|author1=Stevens, G.|author2=Stevens, D.|author3=Dando, M.|author4=Di Sciara, G. N.|year=2018|title=Guide to the Manta and Devil Rays of the World|publisher=Princeton University Press|isbn=978-0-691-18332-9}}</ref>{{rp|13}} The cephalic fins are usually spiraled but flatten during foraging. The fish's [[Branchial arch|gill arches]] have pallets of pinkish-brown [[Gill raker|gill rakers]], which are made of spongy tissue that collects food particles.<ref name="flmnh" /> Mantas track down prey using visual and [[olfactory]] senses.<ref name="sense">{{cite journal|author1=Ari, C. |author2=Correia, J. |year=2008|title=Role of sensory cues on food searching behavior of a captive ''Manta birostris'' (Chondrichtyes, Mobulidae)|journal=Zoo Biology|volume=27|issue=4|pages=294–304|doi=10.1002/zoo.20189|pmid=19360625}}</ref> They have one of the highest [[brain-to-body mass ratio]]s<ref>{{cite journal|author=Ari, C.|year=2011|title=Encephalization and brain organization of mobulid rays (Myliobatiformes, Elasmobranchii) with ecological perspectives|journal=Open Anatomy Journal | volume=3|pages=1–13|doi=10.2174/1877609401103010001|doi-access=free}}</ref> and the largest brain size of all fish.<ref name="Ari2016">{{Cite journal | last1=Ari | first1=C. | last2=D'Agostino | first2=D. P. | year=2016 | title=Contingency checking and self-directed behaviors in giant manta rays: do elasmobranchs have self-awareness? | journal=Journal of Ethology | volume=34 | issue=2 | pages=167–174 | publisher=Springer | doi=10.1007/s10164-016-0462-z | s2cid=18628472 }}</ref> Their brains have [[retia mirabilia]] which may serve to keep them warm.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Alexander, R. L.|year=1996|title=Evidence of brain-warming in the mobulid rays, ''Mobula tarapacana'' and ''Manta birostris'' (Chondrichthyes: Elasmobranchii: Batoidea: Myliobatiformes)|journal=Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society|volume=118|issue=2|pages=151–164|doi=10.1111/j.1096-3642.1996.tb00224.x|doi-access=free}}</ref> ''M. alfredi'' has been shown to dive to depths over {{convert|400|m|||}},<ref name="Braun2014">{{Cite journal | last1 = Braun | first1 = C. D. | last2 = Skomal | first2 = G. B. | last3 = Thorrold | first3 = S. R. | last4 = Berumen | first4 = M. L. | year=2014 | title = Diving behavior of the reef manta ray links coral reefs with adjacent deep pelagic habitats  | journal = [[PLOS ONE]] | volume = 9 | issue = 2 | pages = e88170 | doi = 10.1371/journal.pone.0088170 | pmid = 24516605 | pmc = 3916408 | bibcode = 2014PLoSO...988170B| doi-access = free }}</ref> while the Chilean devil ray, which has a similar structure, dives to nearly {{convert|2000|m|||}}.<ref name = "Thorrold2014">{{Cite journal | last1 = Thorrold | first1 = S. R.  | last2 = Afonso | first2 = P. | last3 = Fontes | first3 = J. | last4 = Braun | first4 = C. D. | last5 = Santos | first5 = R. S. | last6 = Skomal | first6 = G. B. | last7 = Berumen | first7 = M. L. | year=2014 | title = Extreme diving behaviour in devil rays links surface waters and the deep ocean | journal = Nature Communications | volume = 5 | issue = 4274 | page = 4274| doi = 10.1038/ncomms5274 | bibcode = 2014NatCo...5.4274T | pmid=24983949 | pmc=4102113}}</ref>