Atlantic pygmy devil ray
📖 Overview
Occurs in shallow coastal waters . Feeds mainly on planktonic crustaceans but may take small schooling fishes . Ovoviviparous . Found singly, in small groups, and in schools . Swimming at high speed and often leap high above the surface . Feeds mainly on planktonic crustaceans, but also on small schooling fishes . Meat used for food and a source of oil .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Cephalic fins smaller, tail longer without spine . Upper surface black .: other.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Atlantic pygmy devil ray is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
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 . 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 .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; pelagic-neritic; depth range 0 - 100 m . Tropical; 41°N - 40°S, 80°W - 29°W
🌿 Ecology
planktonic crustaceans but may take small schooling fishes (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Atlantic devil ray · Atlantic pygmy devil ray · devil ray · Devil ray, Lesser devil ray · lesser devil ray · Lesser Guinean Devil Ray |
| 🌍CES | manta malá · manta senegalská |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Vestatlantisk djævlerokke |
| 🇩🇪German | Kleiner Teufelsrochen · Westatlantischer Teufelsrochen |
| 🇫🇮Finnish | tummapaholaisrausku |
| 🇫🇷French | Diable Géant · Diable géant de l'Atlantique · Mante diable |
| 🇮🇹Italian | Mobula atlantica |
| 🇳🇱Dutch | Afrikaanse Duivelsrog · Atlantische Duivelsrog |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Manta-pequena |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Малая гвинейская мобула · Малая мобула · Сенегальская мобула |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Diablo · Manta del Atlántico · manta del Golfo · manta enana |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cephaloptera massenoidea | Hill | 1862 | Synonym |
| Cephaloptera olfersii | Müller | 1834 | Synonym |
| Cephalopterus hypostomus | Bancroft | 1831 | Synonym |
| Ceratobatis robertsii | Boulenger | 1897 | Synonym |
| Mobula olfersii | Müller | 1834 | Synonym |
| Mobula robertsi | Boulenger | 1897 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 9 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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