munkiana is currently classified as “Vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 29. Mobula munkiana is particularly known for its social behavior 18, often congregating in large aggregations of thousands of individuals, presumedly for mating purposes 15. While size at birth remains unknown, estimations and comparisons with other pygmy devils rays indicate that disc width could range from 35 18 to 42.3 cm 31, and reach up to 112 cm as an adult 32. with the euphausiid, Nyctiphanes simplex, as a second prey item 18, 30. munkiana feed predominantly upon Mysidacea spp. Munk’s pygmy devil ray ( Mobula munkiana) is endemic to the Eastern Pacific, found in neritic and coastal habitats that extend from the Gulf of California, Mexico to Peru 29. Pygmy devil rays (5 of the 10 mobulid species) 28, include the smaller species reaching < 1.3 m disc width as adults with more restricted distribution than the larger mobulid species 15. As a result, all mobulid species are IUCN Red list, Endangered or Vulnerable 25, with all species experiencing population declines 26, 27. Such low reproductive rates make mobulids extremely vulnerable to anthropogenic impacts including targeted small-scale fisheries 18, 22, 23 and bycatch in small- and large-scale fisheries 22, 24. Mobulids (manta and devil rays) are planktivorous filter feeders with vulnerable life histories 14, 15 that include the lowest fecundity of all elasmobranchs (one pup per litter) 16, 17, and delayed, aplacental viviparous matrotrophic reproduction cycles of 1–3 years 18, 19, 20, 21. ![]() In addition, a potential pupping ground for Mobula mobular in the Northern Gulf of California 13, has been suggested, but more research is needed to confirm. birostris for both areas), and in Indonesia 12 ( Mobula alfredi). Indeed, only three important juvenile habitats for manta rays have been identified in the Gulf of Mexico 9, 10, in Florida 11 ( Mobula birostris and Mobula. While many studies have identified the importance of nursery areas for sharks 3, 5, 6 little is known about nursery areas for batoids 7, 8, 9. For an area to be considered an elasmobranch nursery, it must follow at least three criteria: (1) neonates, and juveniles are more commonly encountered within the area compared to adjacent areas, (2) individuals tend to remain or return to the area over weeks or months, and (3) the area is used in a similar manner repeatedly across years 3, 4. These discrete areas have biotic and abiotic features that can be important for pupping and for enhancing the survival of neonates, and juveniles 2. Nursery areas have been shown to be important for many elasmobranch species 1, 2. These findings confirm, for the first time, the existence of nursery areas for Munk’s pygmy devil rays and the potential importance of shallow bays during early life stages for the conservation of this species. Anecdotal photograph review indicated that the nursery area is used by neonates and juveniles across years. Observations of near-term pregnant females, mating behavior, and neonates indicate an April to June pupping period. Neonates and juveniles comprised 84% of tagged individuals and their residency index was significantly greater inside than outside the bay spending a maximum of 145 consecutive days within the bay. We examined spatial use of a shallow bay during 22 consecutive months in relation to environmental patterns using traditional tagging (n = 95) and acoustic telemetry (n = 7). munkiana at Espiritu Santo Archipelago, Mexico. This study describes the first nursery area for M. Multiple studies have examined fisheries impacts, but nursery areas or foraging neonate and juvenile concentrations have not been examined. These traits make them susceptible to targeted and by-catch fisheries and are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. ![]() ![]() Munk’s pygmy devil rays ( Mobula munkiana) are medium-size, zooplanktivorous filter feeding, elasmobranchs characterized by aggregative behavior, low fecundity and delayed reproduction.
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