Classification:
![Picture](/uploads/1/7/1/2/17126404/727721547.jpg)
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Vertebrata
Order: Myliobatiformes
Family: Myliobatidae
Genus: Manta
Species: Birostris
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Vertebrata
Order: Myliobatiformes
Family: Myliobatidae
Genus: Manta
Species: Birostris
Morphology
![Picture](/uploads/1/7/1/2/17126404/684300196.jpg?346)
Manta Rays have bilateral symmetry as well as a fairly complex structure. Their brains are proportionally large to their body in comparison to other marine animals, and are more proportionally similar to mammals.
Biology and Adaptaions
![Picture](/uploads/1/7/1/2/17126404/229169555.jpg)
Manta Ray skin is covered with a thin mucus that can help with regeneration of body parts.
Manta Rays have a large network of blood vessels in the pectoral fin which warm the swimming muscles thus proving the species is warm blooded.
Manta Ray Distribution:
Manta Rays have a large network of blood vessels in the pectoral fin which warm the swimming muscles thus proving the species is warm blooded.
Manta Ray Distribution:
Economical and Ecological Importance
![Picture](/uploads/1/7/1/2/17126404/298291149.jpg?276)
Economical: They are being investigated for the mucus that may be used to help the improvement of medicine.
Ecological: They eat plankton, thus they are planktivores and keep the population down. They also help support other marine animals by giving them shelter and a source of food.
Facts:
Giant mantas have proportionality large brains, similar to humans.
Giant mantas are believed to be about 20 million years old.
Small sucker fish called remoras live on the mantas.
They are considered an endangered species.
A single female may only give birth to 10-121 pips in her lifetime.
Vocabulary:
pelagic-swims in the open ocean.
open population-animals moving in or out of different food sources.
closed population-one large group of genetically identical animals that are related like a family.
planktivores-animals that eat plankton.
remoras-a small fish that lives on the manta ray.
Resources:
http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m45ixwhjcX1qfip1bo1_400.jpg
Blue Realm: Giant Manta Ray and Shark video
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/sharks/rays/Mantaray.shtml
Ecological: They eat plankton, thus they are planktivores and keep the population down. They also help support other marine animals by giving them shelter and a source of food.
Facts:
Giant mantas have proportionality large brains, similar to humans.
Giant mantas are believed to be about 20 million years old.
Small sucker fish called remoras live on the mantas.
They are considered an endangered species.
A single female may only give birth to 10-121 pips in her lifetime.
Vocabulary:
pelagic-swims in the open ocean.
open population-animals moving in or out of different food sources.
closed population-one large group of genetically identical animals that are related like a family.
planktivores-animals that eat plankton.
remoras-a small fish that lives on the manta ray.
Resources:
http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m45ixwhjcX1qfip1bo1_400.jpg
Blue Realm: Giant Manta Ray and Shark video
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/sharks/rays/Mantaray.shtml