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Published (Version of Record)CC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Deep diving behaviour in oceanic manta rays and its potential function
Frontiers in Marine Science, Vol.12, 1630451
2025
Abstract
Deep dives are performed by a range of marine megafauna, yet their function remains poorly understood. Proposed functions include foraging, predator avoidance, and navigation, but limited fine-scale data have hindered rigorous testing of these hypotheses. Here, depth time-series data from eight recovered and 16 non-recovered satellite tags deployed on oceanic manta rays (Mobula birostris) in Indonesia, Peru, and New Zealand were examined to characterise extreme dives and identify their potential function. From a total of 46,945 dives, 79 extreme dives (>500 m) were recorded, 11 of which were documented from recovered tags and associated high sampling frequency. Extreme dives were distinguished by rapid descents (up to 2.9 m s⁻¹), brief horizontal “steps” at depth, gradually slowing ascents, and extended periods spent near the surface both before and after diving. Unlike typical foraging dives, no substantial bottom phase was observed, and vertical oscillations—expected if feeding at depth—were absent. Extreme dives also occurred more frequently with increasing distance from the continental shelf edge as well as preceding periods of high 72h distance travelled, indicating they may inform subsequent movements. We propose that extreme dives enable oceanic manta rays to survey the properties of the water column, likely gathering environmental cues—such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, or geomagnetic gradients—to guide navigation and/or the decision to leave or remain in a general area. In open-ocean environments where external reference points are absent, such costly but infrequent dives may provide critical information for long-distance movements. Our results offer new insights into the role of extreme diving behaviour in oceanic manta rays and highlight the importance of fine-scale data for understanding deep-diving behaviours in marine megafauna.
Details
- Title
- Deep diving behaviour in oceanic manta rays and its potential function
- Authors/Creators
- Calvin S. BealeFerawati RuntuboyAbraham B. SianiparAngela J. E. BeerKadarusmanMark V. ErdmannEdy SetyawanLydia GreenClinton A. J. DuffySamantha AndrzejaczekBarbara A. BlockKerstin ForsbergMark MeekanAdrian C. Gleiss
- Publication Details
- Frontiers in Marine Science, Vol.12, 1630451
- Publisher
- Frontiers Media S.A.
- Identifiers
- 991005823099307891
- Copyright
- © 2025 Beale, Runtuboy, Sianipar, Beer, Kadarusman, Erdmann, Setyawan, Green, Duffy, Andrzejaczek, Block, Forsberg, Meekan and Gleiss.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Harry Butler Institute; School of Environmental and Conservation Sciences; Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems; Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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