From the paper - click for detail!
It sure looks so - at least taxonomically!
Check this out.
It postulates what has been rumored for quite a while, i.e. that genetically, the Mantas belong to the Mobulas and that consequently, their Genus needs to be changed from Manta to Mobula. The paper also does away with three species of Mobula (eregoodootenkee, japanica and rochebrunei) that are being subsumed under Mobula kuhlii, M. mobular and M. hypostoma, respectively, thus reducing the total number of Mobula species to eight.
This does not necessarily affect the common names = we can still continue calling Mobula alfredi the Reef Manta, and Mobula birostris, the Giant (and/or Pelagic or Oceanic) Manta!
And would this be the last of it?
Considering the obvious morphological differences (= e.g. terminal vs sub-terminal mouths, shape of the cephalic lobes etc) but also the emotional attachment to the Mantas by so many folks out there, methinks most likely not - but with Will and Gavin being the current titans of Elasmobranch taxonomy, any detractors better come well prepared!
To be continued no doubt.
Really looking forward to a good frothy brawl - and if the past is any indication, we can all look forward to some epic fireworks! :)
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