Occurrence of mobulid rays in Northwest Madagascar
Abstract The waters around Nosy Be in northwest Madagascar are well-known for the occurrence of large planktivores, such as whale sharks ( Rhincodon typus ) and Omura’s whales ( Balaenoptera omurai ). Between 2016 and 2022, sighting data on mobulid rays were opportunistically collected during tourism activities. Additional sources, including citizen science submissions, tourism operator reports, and social media records, were used to compile sightings of three mobulid ray species. A total of 255 encounters were documented, with Mobula mobular ( n = 165) being the most common, followed by M. birostris ( n = 60) and M. kuhlii ( n = 30). Notably, the absence of confirmed M. alfredi records since 2015 suggests a potential local decline. This study highlights Nosy Be as a habitat for mobulid rays and emphasises the necessity for further species monitoring, ongoing identification of potential threats, and management initiatives aiming at reducing mortality from gillnet fishing.
Authors
- RH Bennett (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9638-6811)
- Tanguy Guillemain d’Echon
- Jérémy J. Kiszka (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1095-8979)
- Christoph A. Rohner (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8760-8972)
- Elina Sourisseau
- Stephanie K. Venables (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0095-7964)
- Caterina Bosio
- C. Barba (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8363-1673)
- Anna L. Flam (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8264-6926)
- Salvatore Cerchio (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5880-5969)
- Joshua M. Rambahiniarison (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9251-2027)
- Léonce Costika Fidiarisandratra
- Irène Rasoamananto
- Stella Diamant
- Fanja Ratsitoharana Andrianarisoa
- Chris Scarffe
- Michel Strogoff
Institutions
- Wildlife Conservation Society (US)
- University of Balamand (LB)
- University of the Sunshine Coast (AU)
- Florida International University (US)
- Marine Conservation Institute (US)
- University of Toliara (MG)
- Marine Megafauna Foundation (US)
- Catholic University of Madagascar (MG)
- Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership (MG)
- Coastal Oceans Research and Development in the Indian Ocean (KE)
- Institut Pasteur de Madagascar (MG)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Environmental Biology of Fishes
- Published
- 2025-02-05
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-025-01674-y
- Citations
- 3
- Primary Topic
- Ichthyology and Marine Biology
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 6.94
Funders
- PADI Foundation
- University of the Sunshine Coast