Courtship behavior of oceanic manta rays in Bahía de Banderas, Mexico

26 August 2026

Iliana A. Fonseca-Ponce, Aldo A. Zavala-Jiménez & Joshua D. Stewart

Summary: Despite over a decade of research, key life history stages of oceanic manta rays (Mobula birostris) remain poorly understood. This study documents courtship behaviour in Bahía de Banderas, Mexico, based on 17 events recorded between 2019 and 2024 using drone tracking, visual monitoring and citizen reports. Four courtship stages were identified: Initiation (71%), Endurance (65%), Evasion (41%) and Precopulation (24%). Courtship activity peaked during aggregation seasons, concentrated near the southern coast and the nutrient-rich Banderas canyon. These findings suggest a link between foraging-related aggregation and increased mating opportunities, highlighting the region's potential importance as a reproductive hotspot for this endangered species.

Abstract

“Oceanic manta rays (Mobula birostris) are endangered and in decline globally. Despite over a decade of targeted research, major knowledge gaps still remain in key life history stages for the species, such as foraging, reproduction, pupping, and nursery habitats. This study examines and describes the courtship behavior of oceanic manta rays (Mobula birostris) in Bahía de Banderas, Mexico, based on 17 recorded events between 2019 and 2024. Four distinct stages of courtship were analyzed using drone tracking, visual monitoring, and citizen reports across all events including putative courtship: Initiation (71% of observations), Endurance (65%), Evasion (41%), and Precopulation (24%). Sighting patterns indicate a link between courtship activity and aggregation seasons for oceanic manta rays, with peaks occurring from January to April and July to August. Most observations were concentrated near the southern coast and the nutrient-rich Banderas canyon. This region highlights the potential interplay between foraging-related aggregative behavior and increased mating opportunities as drivers of courtship behavior.”

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Author Affiliations

  • Proyecto Manta Pacific Mexico

  • Tecnológico Nacional de Mexico / IT Bahía de Banderas

  • The Manta Trust

  • Oregon State University

Contribution towards the Manta Trust's Strategic Plan

Goal 3: Strategic Objective 3.1 – All manta and devil ray species in the regions where we work are fully protected and conserved through species management plans.

Goal 3: Strategic Objective 3.2 – Key aggregation sites fall within protected areas that are effectively managed

Goal 3: Strategic Objective 3.4 – The environmental drivers on manta ray populations are better understood to help determine the impact of the climate crisis and inform conservation measures.

Goal 4: Strategic Objective 4.2 – Tourists and operators are supportive of conservation and act accordingly

Download the manta trust five-year plan