| Distribution |
Worldwide in tropical to temperate seas. Mouth tiny; teeth united and beaklike (Ref. 50659). Jaws with 2 fused teeth. Each side of head with 2 tiny nostrils. Dorsal and anal fins lacking spines, but provides the power for locomotion. Caudal peduncle absent. Caudal fin, when present, a pseudocaudal fin being formed by posteriorly migrated dorsal and anal fin rays. No lateral line. No swim bladder. Vertebrae 16-18 (Ref. 245). Pelvic fins absent. Skin leathery and thick. Gill openings small, in front of pectoral fins. Gray above, silvery gray-brown on sides, paler or dusky below. Two species grow to about 3 m in length, largest to 1,500 kg. Fecundity can register an estimated 300,000,000 eggs in Mola mola. Young are spiny and differ markedly from adults. Slow-swimming, epipelagic plankton feeders; some prey on jellyfishes but also feed on algae, crustaceans and fishes |
Manta Ray 