First record of mating behavior of the Mobula cf. tarapacana sicklefin devil ray (Myliobatiformes: Mobulidae) in a marine protected area and within the exclusion zone of a marine oil terminal in the southwestern atlantic (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

First-time observations of courtship behavior of the endangered Sicklefin Devil Ray (Mobula cf. tarapacana) are described in a Marine Protected Area - MPA (ESEC Tamoios / ICMBio) and the Exclusion Zone of a Marine Oil Terminal (TEBIG / Petrobras Transporte S.A. - TRANSPETRO) in the Southwestern Atlantic, both from Ilha Grande Bay. M. cf. tarapacana courtship was recorded at two different times (2 couples of 1 male and 1 female) in October and November of 2024 and used a professional camera and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV; drone) , which this study highlights the potential for M. cf. tarapacana to coexist with industrial activities, such as oil terminal operations, under the right conditions, emphasizing the importance of sustainable environmental management practices and harmonious coexistence. The difficulty in identifying Mobula spp. in the wild, due to overlapping morphological characteristics, is further compounded by the rapid nature of the copulation event and the highly dynamic behavior of the individuals, making it challenging to distinguish species. However, the copulation behavior recorded in this study is unique and unprecedented, representing a significant advancement in the reproductive knowledge of the group, offering a positive perspective that with effective management and conservation measures, it may be possible to mitigate some of the impacts of human activities on vulnerable marine species. Courtship behavior is characterized by chasing, biting, copulation, post-copulatory retention and separation, and this study provides the first information on a possible indicator of a reproduction ground for the Sicklefin Devil Ray in Ilha Grande Bay (Rio de Janeiro/ Brazil). The findings provide a crucial baseline for future monitoring efforts and fill a useful gap in the scientific knowledge of M. cf. tarapacana globally and in Brazil, being essential to understanding the species reproductive cycles, which will serve as subsidies for conservation strategies for endangered species.