Manta rays create mobile ecosystems, study finds

MIAMI, FL – A new study from the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science and the Marine Megafauna Foundation finds that young Caribbean manta rays (Mobula yarae) often swim with groups of other fish, creating small, moving ecosystems that support a variety of marine species.

South Florida—particularly along Palm Beach County—serves as a nursery for juvenile manta rays. For nearly a decade, the Marine Megafauna Foundation has been studying these rays and documenting the challenges they face from human activities near the coast, such as boat strikes and entanglement in fishing gear, which can pose significant threats to juvenile mantas

“Using video footage collected between 2016 and 2021, we analyzed 465 videos to better understand which species swim with manta rays and how they interact,” said Emily Yeager, lead author of the study and a doctoral candidate in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy at the Rosenstiel School. “We looked at which fish were present, how many there were, and where they tended to gather—often around the manta’s gills, eyes, wings, and tail.”

The study found that four families of teleost fish, the largest group of ray-finned fishes, regularly associate with young mantas. The most frequent companions are remoras—also known as suckerfish—which attach themselves to larger animals using a suction-like dorsal fin. Other fish that commonly accompany mantas include species important to Florida’s fisheries, such as jacks and cobia.

“Understanding ecological interactions between species is essential to conserving the marine environment,” said Catherine Macdonald, an associate professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy, and the director of the Shark Research and Conservation Program at the Rosenstiel School. “Our results suggest that these species may be interdependent and form long-lasting and relatively stable relationships, creating mobile ecosystems where fish may mature, feed, or mate.” 

Because South Florida is a busy area for boating and recreational fishing, juvenile manta rays are especially vulnerable to being struck by boats or caught in fishing lines. The study underscores the importance of responsible boating to help safeguard manta rays and the communities of fish they support.

“Slowing down in areas where mantas are known to feed near the surface is a simple but crucial step toward protecting these young rays,” said Jessica Pate of the Marine Megafauna Foundation, a co-author of the study. “Responsible boating and fishing can help protect these species and their critical ecological interactions long-term.”

“The findings provide valuable insights for marine conservation and policy, showing that manta rays act as living habitats that support biodiversity in coastal waters.” Yeager added.

The research was supported by the University of Miami’s Maytag Fellowship and a Florida Sea Grant–Guy Harvey Fellowship held by Ph.D. candidate Emily Yeager.

The study, titled “Stability and spatial variance of Mobula yarae-associated fish aggregates in South Florida,” was published in the journal Marine Biology on December 15, 2025. The authors include Emily Yeager*¹², Jessica Pate³, Julia Saltzman¹⁴, Christian Pankow¹, and Catherine Macdonald¹². ¹ Shark Research and Conservation Program, University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, ² Department of Environmental Science and Policy, ³Marine Megafauna Foundation, ⁴ Department of Biology, University of Miami

About the University of Miami and Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science

 The University of Miami is a private research university and academic health system with a distinct geographic capacity to connect institutions, individuals, and ideas across the hemisphere and around the world. The University’s vibrant academic community comprises 12 schools and colleges serving more than 19,000 undergraduate and graduate students in more than 180 majors and programs. Located within one of the most dynamic and multicultural cities in the world, the University is building new bridges across geographic, cultural, and intellectual borders, bringing a passion for scholarly excellence, a spirit of innovation, and a commitment to tackling the challenges facing our world. The University of Miami is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU).

 Founded in 1943, the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science is one of the world’s premier research institutions in the continental United States. The School’s basic and applied research programs seek to improve understanding and prediction of Earth’s geological, oceanic, and atmospheric systems by focusing on four key pillars:

*Saving lives through better forecasting of extreme weather and seismic events. 

*Feeding the world by developing sustainable wild fisheries and aquaculture programs. 

*Unlocking ocean secrets through research on climate, weather, energy and medicine. 

*Preserving marine species, including endangered sharks and other fish, as well as protecting and restoring threatened coral reefs. www.earth.miami.edu.