One of the largest and most legendary creatures of the underwater kingdom - a fish "sea devil."In size it is inferior to some whales, but no larger representative of the superclass aquatic vertebrates in the depths of the seas and oceans have been found.And the primacy of myths and superstitions, only recently dethroned, it holds for many centuries.
Opening of "sea-devil»
first described and named this animal Johann Valbaum - German zoologist, physician and naturalist.He called it Raja birostris;and it happened, by historical standards, not so long ago - in 1792.It should be noted, the history of these cartilaginous fishes the most confusing and vague, compared with other living creatures: two centuries they were given 25 types of "names" and a dozen generic.Modern science recognizes the name of Manta birostris.Until recently it was thought that fish "sea devil" - the only representative of the giant manta rays.However, in 2009, was allocated another kind, Manta alfredi, and has significant differences in appearance, and in the development and morphology, but are similar in size, diet and lifestyle.
Legends and myths
Fish "sea devil" (pictured above) got his nickname because of the peculiar shape of head fins - it sends them food in your mouth.From a distance they look like horns;and given the considerable size of the individual, it is not surprising that she dreaded sea travelers.Europeans swim in tropical waters, believed that if the anger of the devil-fish, it will sink the ship, and will chase him with unquenchable fury and perseverance.In southeast Asia, meant to meet manta rays (and is still) the troubles and ambulances in big trouble.It was felt that a huge flat body is unfortunate gown for wrapping production with a view to acquisitions (in another version - crushing if the person something insulted the monster).
Fish "sea devil": description
Skat has huge diamond-shaped pectoral fins - in large specimens of their scope reaches seven meters.They move to the front head fins, between which there is a wide mouth.Eyes are located on the sides and gills - in the form of slits - bottom head.Back at sea devil dark (black or dark-gray), belly light.And it required a scattering of spots.It is noteworthy that the number and location of strictly individual - such as a human fingerprint.As for weight, the weight of large specimens sometimes reaches two and a half tons of ...
Life in Ocean
Whatever there is no telling what would have any horror stories invented fish "sea devil" eats like a whale - and planktonsmall crustaceans.For this purpose, her mouth is equipped with a special device for ottsezhivaniya food consisting of gill plates.Given the size of manta rays, it is not surprising that she is forced to eat almost continuously.
Natural enemies are essentially data orcas and large sharks.In adults they attack only if they are wounded and sick, but actively hunt for calves.
Because of the large area of the body fish-devil (photo enable you to check the majesty of the inhabitants of the water column) always "is" on a huge number of pests: bacteria, protozoa, algae, and so on. D. This could be a serious problem, sincethey are the messengers (and sometimes agents) a wide variety of diseases.However, the fish "sea devil" immune from the scourge of constant accompaniment of fish-cleaners that are biting away all the excess, including "cleaning service" and in the mouth, which during the "procedures" is holding an open ramp.
Unlike most ocean fish, manta rays - the inhabitants of the upper water layers.At greater depth, they do not fall ever.
Reproduction manta
for procreation giant stingrays swim to the coast of Mozambique.The breeding season they have is in November.At this time, there can be observed dozens of members of the species' sea-devil. "The description of their courtship, provided by many scientists, oceanographers and recreational divers, describes the process as a very beautiful sight.Males follow the entire string ready to conceive a female, and at higher speeds, do not usually characteristic of the mantle.The female "sea-devil" produces only one offspring;sightings twins are extremely rare.In the initial stages after hatching baby is inside the mother and fed royal jelly.After the birth of the fish "sea-devil" has a meter in length and a quarter and weighs about ten kilograms.Newborn baby everywhere follows the mother.Results in female offspring regularly - and in case of interruption of two and three years.
endangered
As already stated, the fish "sea devil" major natural enemies are not allowed.But it is deadly to people.The meat and liver of marine life are considered culinary delights, and the Chinese also widely used in medicine.It is the Chinese fishermen are actively destroying fish-devil came there in November to the Mozambican coast.Given how slowly a giant stingrays multiply, and that it is the place chosen by them to mate, it could be argued that as long as the water near the Mozambique become natural reserves, the threat of extermination manta rays disappear.
Mysteries "sea devil»
Despite the fact that the fish "sea-devil" has been studied extensively, not all its mysteries revealed by scientists.First of all, no one can say why they Brac near Mozambique and where do after.Working hypothesis: These rays are inherently migrants and simply "travel" aimlessly.
no less a mystery is their habit of jumping out of the water with a fountain spray to fall back.Other scientists have put forward in this respect are several versions:
- Such jumps - part of the courtship ritual.
- With shock body of water fish "sea devil" suppresses small inhabitants.
- Thus the animal gets rid of annoying parasites.
which hypothesis is correct, it may be, will be known in the future, of course, if humanity and the creature will not translate into the category of extinct.
