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Marine scientists are using satellite technology to track theelusive ocean wanderings of giant manta rays - graceful creaturesthat ply the world"s seas. The co-authors of the new study say more measures are needed toprotect dwindling worldwide manta populations, but complicating theissue is that almost nothing is known about the day-to-daymovements and ecological needs of these enigmatic gentle giants. To solve some of the mystery, the scientists attached satellitetransmitters to six manta rays swimming off Mexico"s YucatanPeninsula, and then recorded their travels for the next 13 days. Mantas are the largest species of ray. They can weigh 2.5 tons,and their wing-like fins can span more than 7.5 meters. Filter-feeding manta rays reach their enormous size by feasting onfree-floating clouds of fish eggs and microscopic organisms calledzooplankton. The researchers say their new satellite telemetry shows some of thegiant rays they studied covered more than 1,100 kilometers duringthe 13-day study period. The six mantas spent most of their time cruising aroundMexico"s coastal waters where food was plentiful. However,the scientists say the satellite data revealed the majority of thelocations were in major shipping routes where the mantas could behit by passing vessels. Only 11.5 percent of the places where thesix rays gathered were located in marine protected areas. The Swiss-based International Union for Conservation of Nature haslisted mantas as "vulnerable" to extinction. The study's co-authors say research using satellite trackingtechnology is critical in developing effective conservation andmanagement strategies. The new study was a collaboration of the Wildlife ConservationSociety, Britain"s University of Exeter, and the governmentof Mexico. It is published in the journal, PLoS One (Public Library of Science One). Mantas, like all rays, are closely related to sharks. They havethe highest brain-to-body ratio of all shark and ray species knownto science. Despite their imposing size, manta rays pose no threat to humans. They do not have a potentially deadly barbed tail like a stingray,or teeth like a shark. The enormous ocean giants filter feed just like their colossalwhale-shark cousins, or baleen whales, which are mammals. Mantasgive birth to live young, having one or two pups roughly once everyone or two years. The e-commerce company in China offers quality products such as China Stone Ear Plugs , Ear Flesh Tunnel, and more. For more , please visit Belly Ring Jewelry today!
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