How to ID a Manta – Pacific Manta Research Group

HOW TO ID MANTAS:

MANTA ID REGIONS

We have settled on 4 regions of the ventral surface for comparison. For chevron mantas four marking types are compared, the posterior gray margin, belly spots, "exhaust" marks below the gill slits, and contours of the black-white demarcation line below the mouth.

For black mantas, which tend to have fewer markings than chevron, our 4 categories are subsets of the major marking, which may have a central "head" between the gill slits, "shoulders" extending to the side below the 5th gill, "arms" extending up and lateral to the gills, or trailing marks near the posterior edge of the wing.

Click the "Read More" buttons below to further explore these categories!

CHEVRON MANTAS

This color morph is categorized by a predominately white underside with a gray border along the trailing edge of the "wings." There may be black spots behind the gill openings and on the belly. The upper surface is dark blue-black with white triangular patches on the "shoulders." The wing tips and forward edge of the dorsal fin are often white and a white "V" extends forward from the dorsal fin.

BLACK MANTAS

This pattern occurs less frequently and is characterized by a blue-black underside with a "blaze" of white between the fill openings. "Arms" of white may extend from the belly out onto the wings, curving forward alongside the gill openings, giving a round impression of a human face with upraised arms. Additional small white markings may be found. The top surface is completely blue-black.