Catalog of Fishes
literature references
FishBase
Bold Systems
GBIF
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Mobula japanica
(Müller & Henle, 1841)
Spinetail mobula
Classification: Elasmobranchii Myliobatiformes Mobulidae
Reference of the original description
Systematische Beschreibung der Plagiostomen. Berlin, Veit, pp. 1–200
Systematische Beschreibung der Plagiostomen. Berlin, Veit, pp. 1–200
Image of the original description
No image in first description.
No image in first description.
Description :
Citation: Mobula japanica (Müller & Henle, 1841): In: Database of modern sharks, rays and chimaeras, www.shark-references.com, World Wide Web electronic publication, Version 11/2024
Common names
Japanischer Rochen, 
Manta arpón, Manta de aguijón, Manta de espina, 
Mante aiguillat, 
Devilray, Japanese devil ray, Japanese devilray, Manta, Manta ray, Spinetail devil ray, Spinetail mobula
Japanischer Rochen, Manta arpón, Manta de aguijón, Manta de espina, Mante aiguillat, Devilray, Japanese devil ray, Japanese devilray, Manta, Manta ray, Spinetail devil ray, Spinetail mobula
Short Description
Dark blue to black above, white below. Inner surface of cephalic fins silver grey with black tip, outer surface and side behind eye white [20053]. Shared characters between M. rancureli and Mobula japanica: teeth, placoid scales, and branchial filter morphologies, morphometrics, presence of tail spine, distinctive shape and coloration of dorsal fin, and general shape of body and coloration (Ref. 50641).
Dark blue to black above, white below. Inner surface of cephalic fins silver grey with black tip, outer surface and side behind eye white [20053]. Shared characters between M. rancureli and Mobula japanica: teeth, placoid scales, and branchial filter morphologies, morphometrics, presence of tail spine, distinctive shape and coloration of dorsal fin, and general shape of body and coloration (Ref. 50641).
Distribution
Indo-Pacific: off South Africa, the Arabian Sea eastward to the Hawaiian Islands and Polynesia. Eastern Pacific: on the continental coast. Western Atlantic: Côte d"quot;Ivoire but may probably be more wide-ranging. This has to be critically compared with Mobula mobular of the Mediterranean Sea and nominally elsewhere in the North Atlantic. Source: www.gbif.org
Indo-Pacific: off South Africa, the Arabian Sea eastward to the Hawaiian Islands and Polynesia. Eastern Pacific: on the continental coast. Western Atlantic: Côte d"quot;Ivoire but may probably be more wide-ranging. This has to be critically compared with Mobula mobular of the Mediterranean Sea and nominally elsewhere in the North Atlantic. Source: www.gbif.org
Human uses
fisheries: commercial
fisheries: commercial
Biology
Exhibit ovoviparity (aplacental viviparity), with embryos feeding initially on yolk, then receiving additional nourishment from the mother by indirect absorption of uterine fluid enriched with mucus, fat or protein through specialised structures [733]. With one in a litter [1658]. Size at birth 85-92 cm WD [1658] [2539]. Found inshore, possibly in oceanic waters. Occurs singly or in groups. Feeds mainly on euphausids (mainly Nictiphanes simplex), and to a lesser extent on copepods and crustacean larvae. May also feed on small fishes.
Exhibit ovoviparity (aplacental viviparity), with embryos feeding initially on yolk, then receiving additional nourishment from the mother by indirect absorption of uterine fluid enriched with mucus, fat or protein through specialised structures [733]. With one in a litter [1658]. Size at birth 85-92 cm WD [1658] [2539]. Found inshore, possibly in oceanic waters. Occurs singly or in groups. Feeds mainly on euphausids (mainly Nictiphanes simplex), and to a lesser extent on copepods and crustacean larvae. May also feed on small fishes.
Habitat
reef-associated; marine
reef-associated; marine
Remarks
shark-references Species-ID=3749;
shark-references Species-ID=3749;
Parasites (arranged by Jürgen Pollerspöck)
Cestoda
Trematoda
Copepoda
Isopoda
Cestoda
- Fellicocestus mobulae Campbell & Beveridge, 2006 [9451] [23771]
- Healyum harenamica Jensen, 2001 [7588] [16338] [23771]
- Healyum pulvis Jensen, 2001 [7588] [16338] [23771]
- Hemionchos maior Campbell & Beveridge, 2006 [9451] [23771]
- Hemionchos mobulae Campbell & Beveridge, 2006 [9451] [23771]
- Hemionchos striatus Campbell & Beveridge, 2006 [9451] [23771]
- Nybelinia balinensis Palm, Palm & Haseli, 2019 [27908]
- Nybelinia mobulicola Palm, Palm & Haseli, 2019 [27908]
- Quadcuspibothrium francis Jensen, 2001 [7588] [16338]
- Quadcuspibothrium francisi Jensen, 2001 [23771]
Trematoda
- Syncoelium vermilionense Curran & Overstreet, 2000 [23771]
Copepoda
- Entepherus laminipes Bere, 1936 [15950]
- Eudactylina oliveri Laubier, 1968 [17867]
- Kroeyerina mobulae Deets, 1987 [15948]
Isopoda
- Gnathia grandilaris Coetzee, Smit, Grutter & Davies, 2008 [22155]
- Gnathia trimaculata Coetzee, Smit, Grutter & Davies, 2009 [17188] [22155]
