The majestic manta ray is an animal that has always captivated people. Its size and beauty are among the many characteristics that inspire awe. Recently, scientits disovered that the manta ray is more than just a pretty face. In fact, this species may even be interdependent, making it a vital part of the marine ecosystem.
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How Other Species Interact With The Manta Ray
New evidence has suggested that manta rays provide more benefits to the marine ecosystem than previously thought. Yahoo News shared the details from a recent study. Researchers from the University of Miami and the nonprofit Marine Megafauna Foundation focused on the behavior of manta rays in South Florida and how they affect other fish around them. What they found was fascinating.
Emily Yeager, lead author of the study, shared that for six years, they collected video footage of the manta rays interacting with other species around them. From those 465 videos, they gained a lot of insight. She stated that “The findings provide valuable insights for marine conservation and policy, showing that mantra rays act as living habitats that support biodiversity in coastal waters.”
Not only did the manata ray swim with other fish, but they developed a symbiotic relationship with them. Some of these fish, known as remoras, hitch a ride on the manta ray’s underside. The fish are provided with protection, easy transportation, and assisted feeding. However, it is not a one-sided deal. In return, the manta ray gets a spa-like treatment from these small fish. The remoras clean the manta ray’s skin of bacteria and parasites.
Why This Is Important
Understanding this complex relationship, and the manta ray’s role in it, is essential to better understanding the entire marine ecosystem as a whole. Not only did this study prove that these rays play a more complex role in the ecosystem than previously thought, but it also learned the importance of protecting the species.
The study’s co-author, Catherine Macdonald, shared, “Understanding ecological interactions between species is essential to conserving the marine environment.” Additonally she added, “Our results suggest that these species may be interdependent and form long-lasting and relatively stable relationships, creating mobile ecosystems where fish may mature, feed, or mate.”
