Issue
A more detailed taxonomic review of the Eastern versus Western Atlantic M. hypostoma populations is needed to elucidate whether there are population-level differences, or if those differences simply reflect the low sample size available.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / distribuzione batimetrica / distribution range
Ecologia
marino pelagic-neritic; distribuzione batimetrica 0 - 100 m (Ref. 106604). Tropical; 41°N - 40°S, 80°W - 29°W
Western and eastern Atlantic.
Size / Peso / Age
Maturità: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 230 cm WD maschio/sesso non determinato; (Ref. 126011); peso massimo pubblicato: 115.9 kg (Ref. 126011)
Cephalic fins smaller, tail longer without spine (Ref. 7251). Upper surface black (Ref. 6902).
Body shape (shape guide): other.
Occurs in shallow coastal waters (Ref. 12951). Feeds mainly on planktonic crustaceans but may take small schooling fishes (Ref. 12951). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 50449). Found singly, in small groups, and in schools (Ref. 12951). Swimming at high speed and often leap high above the surface (Ref. 6902). Feeds mainly on planktonic crustaceans, but also on small schooling fishes (Ref. 114953). Meat used for food and a source of oil (Ref. 6902).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturità | Riproduzione | Deposizione | Uova | Fecundity | Larve
Exhibit ovoviparity (aplacental viviparity), with embryos feeding initially on yolk, then receiving additional nourishment from the mother by indirect absorption of uterine fluid enriched with mucus, fat or protein through specialised structures (Ref. 50449). Copulation has been observed to be in a venter to venter position while the pair swims at the surface. Mating reported to last 10 minutes. Litter number 1 (Ref. 12951).
White, W.T., S. Corrigan, L. Yang, A.C. Henderson, A.L. Bazinet, D.L. Swofford and G.J.P. Naylor, 2018. Phylogeny of the manta and devilrays (Chondrichthyes: Mobulidae), with an updated taxonomic arrangement for the family. Zool. J. of the Linn. Soc., 20:1-26; figs. (Ref. 115945)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Pesca: scarso interesse commerciale
Strumenti
Special reports
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Fonti Internet
Estimates based on models
Preferred temperature (Fonte Biblio.
123201): 13.7 - 27.7, mean 23.2 °C (based on 232 cells).
Phylogenetic diversity index (Fonte Biblio.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5039 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01000 (0.00244 - 0.04107), b=3.04 (2.81 - 3.27), in cm total length, based on all LWR estimates for this body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Fonte Biblio.
69278): 3.8 ±0.59 se; based on food items.
Resilienza (Fonte Biblio.
120179): Molto basso, tempo minimo di raddoppiamento della popolazione più di 14 anni (Fec=1).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Very high vulnerability (84 of 100).
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