‘Flash Mobula’: first observations of courtship behaviour of the shortfin devil ray Mobula kuhlii

IF 1.4 4区生物学 Q3 MARINE & FRESHWATER BIOLOGY

African Journal of Marine Science Pub Date : 2023-01-02 DOI:10.2989/1814232X.2022.2158131

M. Carpenter, C. Griffiths

引用次数: 3

Abstract

First-time observations of courtship behaviour of the Endangered shortfin devil ray Mobula kuhlii are described from the Aliwal Shoal Marine Protected Area (MPA), KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Three events of M. kuhlii courtship, called ‘mating trains’, were recorded on video during the months of November 2020 and January 2021. These included a near-term pregnant female, and two lead females followed by up to four males. The common behaviours associated with courtship were documented: multiple males following a single female, rapid speed bursts, avoidance of the female, and swerving. This study confirms that M. kuhlii mating occurs in KwaZulu-Natal waters and that courtship is similar across mobulids. The findings demonstrate the importance of the habitat provided by the Aliwal Shoal MPA for this currently unprotected species.

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“闪光蝠鲼”:首次观察到短鳍魔鬼鳐的求偶行为

在南非夸祖鲁-纳塔尔省阿利瓦尔浅滩海洋保护区(MPA)，首次观察到濒临灭绝的短鳍devil ray Mobula kuhlii的求爱行为。在2020年11月和2021年1月期间，用视频记录了三次被称为“交配列车”的M. kuhlii求爱事件。其中包括一只近期怀孕的雌性，以及两只领头的雌性，后面跟着多达四只雄性。与求偶有关的常见行为被记录下来:多只雄性跟随一只雌性，快速爆发，避开雌性，以及突然转向。这项研究证实，M. kuhlii交配发生在夸祖鲁-纳塔尔省水域，而且各种流动动物的求爱方式相似。这一发现证明了阿利瓦尔浅滩海洋保护区为这种目前未受保护的物种提供的栖息地的重要性。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

African Journal of Marine Science 生物-海洋与淡水生物学

CiteScore

2.60

自引率

16.70%

发文量

审稿时长

6-12 weeks

期刊介绍： The African (formerly South African) Journal of Marine Science provides an international forum for the publication of original scientific contributions or critical reviews, involving oceanic, shelf or estuarine waters, inclusive of oceanography, studies of organisms and their habitats, and aquaculture. Papers on the conservation and management of living resources, relevant social science and governance, or new techniques, are all welcomed, as are those that integrate different disciplines. Priority will be given to rigorous, question-driven research, rather than descriptive research. Contributions from African waters, including the Southern Ocean, are particularly encouraged, although not to the exclusion of those from elsewhere that have relevance to the African context. Submissions may take the form of a paper or a short communication. The journal aims to achieve a balanced representation of subject areas but also publishes proceedings of symposia in dedicated issues, as well as guest-edited suites on thematic topics in regular issues.