Mobulas of the North East Canyons

The Florida Manta Project (FMP) is the first research group to conduct a dedicated study of mobula rays, specifically manta rays M. c.f. birostris, in the continental United States. In Florida, the FMP has described a rare nursery habitat for juvenile manta rays and discovered important mating / foraging habitat for adults. The FMP has expanded its work into additional mobula ray species, recently publishing a range extension for M. tarpacana, with additional research on both species of devil rays in preparation for publication. Both M. tarapana and M. mobular are listed as endangered. No baseline research, other than the aforementioned FMP publications, has been conducted in the continental United States. The FMP has received multiple citizen science reports of these two species and has reviewed aerial data suggesting that these species can be reliably located off the North Easter US during summer. To better understand these species, their populations, and conservation status in the United States, the FMP intends to conduct baseline research including satellite tagging and genetic analysis within this region.