Those who grew up watching Finding Nemo may have dreamed of arriving to school riding on the back of a huge ray, but a marine biologist in Ecuador was treated to a scene just like this in real life.
Michel Guerrero, project leader of Proyecto Mantas Ecuador, was studying populations of oceanic manta rays when he saw an underwater school bus fly by.
During his dive, an oceanic manta swam past with almost every surface of its body covered with remoras, also known as suckerfish.
There are a few clear differences between this sighting and Finding Nemo’s loveable schoolteacher: ‘Mr Ray’ is a spotted eagle ray (not a manta) – and he can sing.
Despite these differences, manta rays do help transport fish around the ocean. “Mantas act as a moving ocean oasis for a whole host of hitchhikers seeking shelter, protection and an easy meal,” writes the Manta Trust on LinkedIn. “Remoras cling on with a modified dorsal fin that's evolved into a suction-cup-like disc, so their host doesn't need to slow down or stop.”
There are three species of manta: oceanic (Mobula birostris), reef (Mobula alfredi) and the recently discovered Atlantic manta ray (Mobula yarae).
Oceanic manta rays – also known as giant mantas – are the biggest of them all with a wingspan of nearly 7m. “These remoras are clearly making full use of all that surface area,” writes the Manta Trust.
This sighting was part of wider research trying to learn more about the population of giant mantas in the waters around Ecuador.
Guerrero’s 2022 study, which was published in Marine Ecology Progress Series, revealed that there were more males than females in the population and estimated that there were around 22,316 individuals in this ‘superpopulation’. “The population of M. birostris in coastal Ecuador and Peru is likely the largest in the world,” write the authors in the study.
The relationship between these manta taxis and their hitchhikers is a fascinating one. “Their choice of parking spot can get surprisingly bold,” adds the Manta Trust. “Some remoras venture into their host's mouth to feed on parasites and food scraps, and a recent study even recorded remoras entering mantas' cloacas!”
More stories about mantas from around the world
- “This was a high-speed, high-stakes pursuit… the pace was relentless!" Divers spot rare manta ray chase at remote atoll
- Huge manta ray spotted with chunk of body missing. Divers think they know what caused it
- When researchers tracked 24 giant manta rays into the deep, they discovered an amazing new behaviour
- “Rushing past like a freight train." Diver films unusual manta chain in Great Barrier Reef
Image and video credit: Michel Guerrero, Proyecto Mantas Ecuador
