Key Identification Locations and Anatomy

Key Identification Locations and Anatomy
Disk Grey Margin Spiracle Wing Tip Pelvic Fin Tail Cephalic Fin Eye Gill Slits Pectoral Fin Trailing Edge of Pectoral Fin Dorsal Fin Mouth

Disk

- When taking photos for identification purposes, this is the most important area to get in the frame if possible (this is the area of the manta if you were to draw a circle around the middle)

- This area can be up to 6.8m wide

Grey Margin

- This is the area of the manta with varying amounts of grey along the posterior of the individual along the ventral side.

Spiracle

Wing Tip

Pelvic Fin

** Claspers are not always clearly defined and do not always extend well beyond the pelvic fins in mature males.

Tail

- The tail sting (caudal spine) is absent.

Cephalic Fin

Eye

Gill Slits

Pectoral Fin

Trailing Edge of Pectoral Fin

Dorsal Fin

Mouth

- The mouth is terminal and there are only teeth in the lower jaw.