Description of first nursery area for a pygmy devil ray species (Mobula munkiana) in the Gulf of California, Mexico

Description of first nursery area for a pygmy devil ray species (Mobula munkiana) in the Gulf of California, Mexico

Marta D. Palacios, Edgar M. Hoyos‑Padilla, Abel Trejo‑Ramírez, Donald A. Croll, Felipe Galván‑Magaña, Kelly M. Zilliacus, John B. O’Sullivan, James T. Ketchum & Rogelio González-Armas

Scientific Reports (2021), 11:132

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-80506-8

Abstract

Munk’s pygmy devil rays (Mobula munkiana) are medium-size, zooplanktivorous filter feeding, elasmobranchs characterized by aggregative behavior, low fecundity and delayed reproduction. These traits make them susceptible to targeted and by-catch fisheries and are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Multiple studies have examined fisheries impacts, but nursery areas or foraging neonate and juvenile concentrations have not been examined. This study describes the first nursery area for M. munkiana at Espiritu Santo Archipelago, Mexico. We examined spatial use of a shallow bay during 22 consecutive months in relation to environmental patterns using traditional tagging (n = 95) and acoustic telemetry (n = 7). Neonates and juveniles comprised 84% of tagged individuals and their residency index was significantly greater inside than outside the bay; spending a maximum of 145 consecutive days within the bay. Observations of near-term pregnant females, mating behavior, and neonates indicate an April to June pupping period. Anecdotal photograph review indicated that the nursery area is used by neonates and juveniles across years. These findings confirm, for the first time, the existence of nursery areas for Munk’s pygmy devil rays and the potential importance of shallow bays during early life stages for the conservation of this species.

Keywords: Devil Ray, mobula munkiana, nursery areas, Gulf of California