: They possess V-shaped white shoulder patches that taper toward the back, unlike the T-shaped, even-width markings of the giant oceanic manta.
Like all members of the genus Mobula , Atlantic mantas are . They use their paddle-like cephalic fins to scoop plankton and small crustaceans into their wide, terminal mouths.
The Atlantic Manta Ray: Unveiling a New Giant For decades, marine biology recognized only two species of manta ray: the coastal-dwelling reef manta and the far-roaming giant oceanic manta. However, in , scientists officially described a third distinct species—the Atlantic manta ray ( Mobula yarae ). Named after "Yara," a water spirit from Indigenous Brazilian mythology, this species represents a breakthrough in our understanding of marine biodiversity in the Western Atlantic. Distinguishing the Atlantic Manta
In late 2025, global conservation efforts culminated in a historic listing for all manta and devil ray species, effectively banning legal international trade to protect them from extinction. Atlantic manta ray: science confirms third species