title: First photographic records of the giant manta ray Manta birostris off eastern Australia.
abstract: We present the first photographic evidence of the presence of the giant manta ray Manta birostris in east Australian waters. Two individuals were photographed off Montague Island in New South Wales and off the north east coast of Tasmania, during summer 2012 and 2014, respectively. These sightings confirm previous unverified reports on the species occurrence and extend the known distribution range of M. birostris to 40°S. We discuss these findings in the context of the species' migratory behaviour, the regional oceanography along the south east Australian coastline and local productivity events.
authors: School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland , St Lucia , Australia ; Climate Adaptation Flagship, CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research , Dutton Park , Australia.
authors: Lydie I E
authors: LI
authors: Couturier
authors: Climate Adaptation Flagship, CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research , Dutton Park , Australia ; Biophysical Oceanography Group, School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management, The University of Queensland , St Lucia , Australia ; Marine Megafauna Foundation, Manta Ray & Whale Shark Research Centre , Tofo Beach, Inhambane , Mozambique.
authors: Fabrice R A
authors: FR
authors: Jaine
authors: School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland , St Lucia , Australia ; Molecular Fisheries Laboratory, The University of Queensland , St Lucia , Australia.
authors: Tom
authors: T
authors: Kashiwagi
keywords: Australia; Citizen science; Manta ray; Mobulidae
references: J Fish Biol. 2012 Apr;80(5):1075-119
references: 22497374
references: PLoS One. 2012;7(5):e36834
references: 22590622