What is "manta ray"

Cephaloptera \Ceph`a*lop"te*ra\ (s[e^]f`[.a]*l[o^]p"t[-e]*r[.a]), n. [NL., fr. Gr. kefalh` head + ptero`n wing.] (Zo["o]l.) One of the generic names of the gigantic ray ( Manta birostris) of the family Mobulidae, known as devilfish, sea devil, manta and manta ray. It is common on the coasts of South Carolina, Florida, and farther south, and is sometimes found as far north as New York Bay. Some of them grow to enormous size, becoming twenty feet of more across the body, and weighing more than a ton.

manta ray \manta ray\ n. An extremely large pelagic tropical ray of the family Mobulidae, that feeds on plankton and small fishes. It is usually harmless but its size (up to 20 feet across and up to a ton in weight) make it dangerous if harpooned. Called also manta, sea devil and devilfish. See also Cephaloptera and Sea devil.

n. Any of several very large pelagic rays of the genus (taxlink Manta genus noshow=1), with winglike pectoral fins, a long tail, and two fins resembling horns that project from the head.

n. extremely large pelagic tropical ray that feeds on plankton and small fishes; usually harmless but its size make it dangerous if harpooned [syn: manta, devilfish]

Manta rays are large rays belonging to the genus Manta. The larger species, M. birostris, reaches in width while the smaller, M. alfredi, reaches . Both have triangular pectoral fins, horn-shaped cephalic fins and large, forward-facing mouths. They are classified among the Elasmobranchii ( sharks and rays) and are placed in the family Myliobatidae (eagle rays).

Mantas are found in temperate, subtropical and tropical waters. Both species are pelagic; M. birostris migrates across open oceans, singly or in groups, while M. alfredi tends to be resident and coastal. They are filter feeders and eat large quantities of zooplankton, which they swallow with their open mouths as they swim. Gestation lasts over a year, producing live pups. Mantas may visit cleaning stations for the removal of parasites. Like whales, they breach, for unknown reasons.

Both species are listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Anthropogenic threats include pollution, entanglement in fishing nets, and direct harvesting for their gill rakers for use in Chinese medicine. Their slow reproductive rate exacerbates these threats. They are protected in international waters by the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals, but are more vulnerable closer to shore. Areas where mantas congregate are popular with tourists. Only a few aquariums are large enough to house them. In general, these large fish are seldom seen and difficult to study.

"Manta Ray" is an original song composed by J. Ralph and Anohni and performed by Anohni. The song was released as the lead single from the soundtrack album of 2015 documentary Racing Extinction written by Anohni.

"Manta Ray" received critical appraisal and was nominated for Academy Award for Best Original Song at 88th Academy Awards for Anohni and J. Ralph.

A manta ray is a large ray belonging to the genus Manta.

Manta Ray may also refer to:

• "Manta Ray" (song), a 2015 song by J. Ralph from Racing Extinction
• Manta Ray (Transformers), a character from Transformers: Generation 2
• Manta Ray (car), a General Motors car