Northernmost record of a leucistic Mobula birostris in the EasternTropical Pacific

                                                                                          Photo Credit: © Paul Preciado

Northernmost record of a leucistic oceanic manta ray (Mobula birostris) in the Eastern Tropical Pacific

Paul A. Preciado-González | Edgar M. Hoyos-Padilla | Jesús Erick Higuera-Rivas

Marine Biodiversity (2025)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12526-025-01591-4

Abstract

Pigmentation disorders in elasmobranchs, including melanism, albinism, and leucism, may reduce crypsis and survival. We report the first confirmed case of a leucistic oceanic manta ray (Mobula birostris) in Mexico, and the northernmost record of leucism for this species in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. The subadult male was observed twice opportunistically, in December 2015 at San Benedicto Island and in January 2016 at Socorro Island, Revillagigedo National Park. Estimated disc width was 350–400 cm. Identification based on dorsal and ventral coloration patterns validated the leucistic phenotype and confirmed that it was a different individual than one previously suspected in the region. This rare morph highlights the need for further investigation of genetic variability, movement ecology, and conservation of manta ray populations in the Eastern Tropical Pacific.

Keywords

Leucism, Photo identification, Oceanic manta ray, Revillagigedo National Park, Mexico