Sicklefin Devil Rays Spotted off the Atlantic Coast; How Rare Are These Animals?

A recent study by the researchers from Marine Megafauna Foundation (MMF) has revealed a group of sicklefin devil rays (Mobula tarapacana) off the coast of the United States, marking the first time these large hard-to-locate rays were found on the eastern coast.

MMF researcher Jessica Pate headed the study that revealed the rays' presence, as these creatures are thought to inhabit various parts of the oceans worldwide, but it was never established if they were near the US. The rays' wingspan can reach up to 12 feet.

Compiled Sightings of the Rare and Elusive Sickle Devil Rays

Researchers from the nonprofit organization Marine Megafauna Foundation have gathered sightings from various sources, such as scuba divers, aerial surveyors, and social media, to compensate for the lack of official documentation on the sicklefin devil ray, Yahoo! News reported.

In total, they found 180 sightings and 361 individual sicklefin devil rays between 1996 and 2022 in the waters off the east coast of the United States and the Gulf of Mexico. The research extended the recognized range of the rays, which were often mistaken for manta rays, to include the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.

Jessica Pate, a research scientist with the Marine Megafauna Foundation, said in a press release that people often mistake sicklefin devil rays for manta rays, which are even more enormous.

A citizen science report given to the Florida Manta Project sparked the idea for this study, which led to sightings in additional databases. Pate added that non-scientists could make vital observations that contribute to the conservation of endangered species.

The study's findings are critical for understanding the risks posed by fisheries, and having up-to-date information on the habitat of sicklefin devil rays is essential.

Pate noted that the researchers discovered an extensive network of sightings from citizen science and social media reports, which showed the rays' presence in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, confirming that their distribution is more extensive than previously thought.

Sicklefin Devil Rays Classified as Endangered Species

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified the rays to be endangered. Although it is challenging to ascertain, evidence indicates that their numbers are dwindling.

Their black-and-white gill plates are unique, and they have earned the nickname of "flower gills." According to Forbes, the species is among the most commonly traded mobulid rays, apart from the Oceanic Manta and Spinetail Devil Ray, with their gill plates fetching the second-highest price after mantas.

With a tropical and warm temperate sea distribution, they are the deepest divers among the mobulids, diving to depths of over 6,560 feet (2000 meters) where temperatures plunge to freezing conditions.

The general public is often unaware of these rays' existence, and they are sometimes confused with even larger manta rays. Pate stated that there is limited knowledge about sicklefin devil rays in the US, and the new study shows the importance of data gathered from incidental observations and observer reports for rare species that are hard to investigate.

Check out more news and information on Fish in Science Times.