Genetic and Morphometric Support for the Atlantic Pygmy Devil Ray, Mobula hypostoma (Bancroft, 1831), in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean

January 2025

Emily Humble, Atlantine Boggio-Pasqua, Aristide Takoukam Kamla, Kim Bassos-Hull, Stephen Bergacker, Marc-Alexander Gose, Simon Hilbourne, Betty Laglbauer, Ana Martinez-Lopez, Cedrick Fogwan, Cedric I. Biankeu, Guy M. W. Stevens & Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara

Keywords: Genome Skimming • MinION Sequencing • Mitogenome • Mobula hypostoma • Mobula rochebrunei • Morphology • Morphometry • Taxonomy • West Africa

Summary: East Atlantic pygmy devil rays, Mobula rochebrunei, were thought to be synonymous with Mobula hypostoma, their western Atlantic counterpart, due to limited data. A recent discovery of three pygmy devil rays in Cameroon confirmed, using genomic and morphometric analysis, that they are the same species (The Atlantic pygmy devil ray, Mobula hypostoma). This finding demonstrates the species’ persistence in West Africa despite fears of disappearance. The study underscores the urgent need for conservation efforts to prevent their local extinction.

Abstract

“Manta and devil rays are a diverse group of globally endangered elasmobranchs with a complicated taxonomic history. The emer-gence of genomic techniques has significantly improved our understanding of species units in the group, yet there is one speciesof devil ray for which uncertainty remains. Mobula rochebrunei (Vaillant, 1879), a pygmy devil ray inhabiting tropical watersof the eastern Atlantic, was recently synonymised with Mobula hypostoma (Bancroft, 1831), its western Atlantic counterpart.However, since there have been no sightings of the species in West and Central Africa for several decades, the revision was basedon limited data, and further investigation was recommended. A dedicated monitoring effort in Cameroon recently led to the rarediscovery of three pygmy devil rays, providing a unique opportunity to build on recent work. We use a combination of MinIONsequencing and morphometric analysis to provide confirmation that pygmy devil rays on both sides of the Atlantic constitute thesame species. Crucially, our work highlights the persistence of pygmy devil rays in West Africa despite concerns of disappearanceand emphasises the need for urgent conservation action to avoid local extinction.”

Infographic

Infographic byJasmine Corbett

Author Affiliations

  • Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh

  • The Manta Trust

  • Aix-Marseille Univ, Université de Toulon

  • African Marine Mammal Conservation Organisation

  • Sharks and Rays Conservation Research Program, Mote Marine Laboratory

  • Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, Brookfield Zoo Chicago

  • Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB)

  • Tethys Research Institute

Funding

  • The Manta Trust

  • African Marine Mammal Conservation

  • National Geographic Society

  • Save Our Seas Foundation

  • Mote Scientific Foundation

  • Georgia Aquarium

  • Disney Conservation Fund

  • Department of Defense US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command