Description of first nursery area for a pygmy devil ray species (Mobula munkiana) in the Gulf of California, Mexico
Abstract Munk’s pygmy devil rays (Mobula munkiana) are medium-size, zooplanktivorous filter feeding, elasmobranchs characterized by aggregative behavior, low fecundity and delayed reproduction. These traits make them susceptible to targeted and by-catch fisheries and are listed as Vulnerable on the...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2021-01-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-80506-8 |
| _version_ | 1818431385472335872 |
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| author | Marta D. Palacios Edgar M. Hoyos-Padilla Abel Trejo-Ramírez Donald A. Croll Felipe Galván-Magaña Kelly M. Zilliacus John B. O’Sullivan James T. Ketchum Rogelio González-Armas |
| author_facet | Marta D. Palacios Edgar M. Hoyos-Padilla Abel Trejo-Ramírez Donald A. Croll Felipe Galván-Magaña Kelly M. Zilliacus John B. O’Sullivan James T. Ketchum Rogelio González-Armas |
| author_sort | Marta D. Palacios |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Munk’s pygmy devil rays (Mobula munkiana) are medium-size, zooplanktivorous filter feeding, elasmobranchs characterized by aggregative behavior, low fecundity and delayed reproduction. These traits make them susceptible to targeted and by-catch fisheries and are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Multiple studies have examined fisheries impacts, but nursery areas or foraging neonate and juvenile concentrations have not been examined. This study describes the first nursery area for M. munkiana at Espiritu Santo Archipelago, Mexico. We examined spatial use of a shallow bay during 22 consecutive months in relation to environmental patterns using traditional tagging (n = 95) and acoustic telemetry (n = 7). Neonates and juveniles comprised 84% of tagged individuals and their residency index was significantly greater inside than outside the bay; spending a maximum of 145 consecutive days within the bay. Observations of near-term pregnant females, mating behavior, and neonates indicate an April to June pupping period. Anecdotal photograph review indicated that the nursery area is used by neonates and juveniles across years. These findings confirm, for the first time, the existence of nursery areas for Munk’s pygmy devil rays and the potential importance of shallow bays during early life stages for the conservation of this species. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T15:48:28Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4fd284cd1cb148a2869c06adeacbb2e8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T15:48:28Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-4fd284cd1cb148a2869c06adeacbb2e82022-12-21T22:55:26ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222021-01-0111111110.1038/s41598-020-80506-8Description of first nursery area for a pygmy devil ray species (Mobula munkiana) in the Gulf of California, MexicoMarta D. Palacios0Edgar M. Hoyos-Padilla1Abel Trejo-Ramírez2Donald A. Croll3Felipe Galván-Magaña4Kelly M. Zilliacus5John B. O’Sullivan6James T. Ketchum7Rogelio González-Armas8Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Instituto Politécnico NacionalPelagios Kakunjá A.C.Pelagios Kakunjá A.C.Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department, University of California Santa CruzCentro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Instituto Politécnico NacionalEcology and Evolutionary Biology Department, University of California Santa CruzMonterey Bay AquariumPelagios Kakunjá A.C.Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Instituto Politécnico NacionalAbstract Munk’s pygmy devil rays (Mobula munkiana) are medium-size, zooplanktivorous filter feeding, elasmobranchs characterized by aggregative behavior, low fecundity and delayed reproduction. These traits make them susceptible to targeted and by-catch fisheries and are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Multiple studies have examined fisheries impacts, but nursery areas or foraging neonate and juvenile concentrations have not been examined. This study describes the first nursery area for M. munkiana at Espiritu Santo Archipelago, Mexico. We examined spatial use of a shallow bay during 22 consecutive months in relation to environmental patterns using traditional tagging (n = 95) and acoustic telemetry (n = 7). Neonates and juveniles comprised 84% of tagged individuals and their residency index was significantly greater inside than outside the bay; spending a maximum of 145 consecutive days within the bay. Observations of near-term pregnant females, mating behavior, and neonates indicate an April to June pupping period. Anecdotal photograph review indicated that the nursery area is used by neonates and juveniles across years. These findings confirm, for the first time, the existence of nursery areas for Munk’s pygmy devil rays and the potential importance of shallow bays during early life stages for the conservation of this species.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-80506-8 |
| spellingShingle | Marta D. Palacios Edgar M. Hoyos-Padilla Abel Trejo-Ramírez Donald A. Croll Felipe Galván-Magaña Kelly M. Zilliacus John B. O’Sullivan James T. Ketchum Rogelio González-Armas Description of first nursery area for a pygmy devil ray species (Mobula munkiana) in the Gulf of California, Mexico Scientific Reports |
| title | Description of first nursery area for a pygmy devil ray species (Mobula munkiana) in the Gulf of California, Mexico |
| title_full | Description of first nursery area for a pygmy devil ray species (Mobula munkiana) in the Gulf of California, Mexico |
| title_fullStr | Description of first nursery area for a pygmy devil ray species (Mobula munkiana) in the Gulf of California, Mexico |
| title_full_unstemmed | Description of first nursery area for a pygmy devil ray species (Mobula munkiana) in the Gulf of California, Mexico |
| title_short | Description of first nursery area for a pygmy devil ray species (Mobula munkiana) in the Gulf of California, Mexico |
| title_sort | description of first nursery area for a pygmy devil ray species mobula munkiana in the gulf of california mexico |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-80506-8 |
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