Distribution, site affinity and regional movements of the manta ray, Manta alfredi (Krefft, 1868), along the east coast of Australia

L I E Couturier; F R A Jaine; Kathy A Townsend; S J Weeks; A J Richardson; M B Bennett

doi:10.1071/MF10148

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Distribution, site affinity and regional movements of the manta ray, Manta alfredi (Krefft, 1868), along the east coast of Australia

Journal article

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Distribution, site affinity and regional movements of the manta ray, Manta alfredi (Krefft, 1868), along the east coast of Australia

L I E Couturier, F R A Jaine, Kathy A Townsend, S J Weeks, A J Richardson and M B Bennett

Marine and Freshwater Research, Vol.62(6), pp.628-637

2011

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1071/MF10148

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Abstract

elasmobranch

migration

photographic identification

seasonality

Despite the increasing tourism interest worldwide for the manta ray, Manta alfredi, very little is known about its biology and ecology. Knowledge of its distribution and movement patterns is important for conservation purposes. Here we describe the distribution, site visitation and movements of M. alfredi along the east coast of Australia. Photographic identification techniques were used to identify individual manta rays at three study sites: Lady Elliot Island, North Stradbroke Island and Byron Bay. Of 388 M. alfredi individuals identified at Lady Elliot Island, 187 (48%) were subsequently re-identified at least once at the same site. In total, 31 individuals were identified at both Lady Elliot Island and North Stradbroke Island (∼380km to the south) and 4 at both Lady Elliot Island and Byron Bay (∼500km to the south). Manta alfredi was present all year around at Lady Elliot Island, although in higher numbers in winter, and was mainly observed at North Stradbroke Island and Byron Bay from mid-spring to mid-autumn. This is the first report of seasonal movements and site affinity for M. alfredi in eastern Australian waters and emphasises the value of photographic identification for monitoring the occurrence of individuals. © CSIRO 2011.

Details

Title: Distribution, site affinity and regional movements of the manta ray, Manta alfredi (Krefft, 1868), along the east coast of Australia
Authors: L I E Couturier (Author) - University of Queensland
F R A Jaine (Author) - University of Queensland
Kathy A Townsend (Author) - University of Queensland
S J Weeks (Author) - University of Queensland
A J Richardson (Author) - University of Queensland
M B Bennett (Author) - University of Queensland
Publication details: Marine and Freshwater Research, Vol.62(6), pp.628-637
Publisher: C S I R O Publishing
Date published: 2011
DOI: 10.1071/MF10148
ISSN: 1323-1650
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99451082802621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Fisheries; Limnology; Marine & Freshwater Biology; Oceanography

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