For the first time in the history of science, small eye stingrays (small eye) or known by the scientific name Megatrygon microps, were discovered by scientists in the waters of Mozambique. Interestingly, this ray is known as the largest and rarest sea ray in the world.
Quoted from Forbes, this animal is globally still classified as 'Data Deficient' or Lacking Data on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (IUCN Red List of Threatened Species).
Researchers at the Marine Megafauna Foundation (MMF) believe that the Mozambique smalleye ray may be under threat from illegal fishing. Because of their elusive nature, the littleeye ray is poorly understood in the diving and scientific communities.
Stingray hunting in Mozambique
Despite their distribution throughout the Indo-West Pacific, encounters with these rays are rare. In fact, prior to the early 2000s, there were only a few directly confirmed sightings of the little eye ray.
But off the east coast of Africa, it seems a different story. Southern Mozambique is a global hotspot for sharks and rays, and it appears that this is also true for these elusive giants.
In Mozambique, about 20 rays are seen each year on Tofo Beach, making it the best location so far to study them in the wild. But gathering data on these creatures takes years, if not decades, because there are so few opportunities to see them.
In 2019, scientists from MMF published 'Spotting the Small Eyes', using a photo-ID methodology to study a wild population of the small-eyed stingray (Megatrygon microps) in southern Mozambique. This is the first study of its kind.
According to research, the little eyed stingray has a unique and stable pattern on its body that can be used to identify it through photography.
Using this methodology, 70 rays were identified along the southern coastline of Mozambique, using multiple habitats and exhibiting migratory behavior among them. In contrast to most other stingrays, the littleeye stingray seems to lead a very different lifestyle than most other stingrays, which are often on the move.
Littleeye rays behave more like manta rays in the area because of their lifestyle, use of the same cleaning stations, and are very mobile.
"In our study, 15 of 70 identified smalleye rays looked back at least once. The longest period between two photographs taken of the same light was six years, and the dot pattern remained unchanged," said the study's lead author, Atlantine. Boggio-Pasqua.
"Further investigation is still needed to validate the use of photo-ID in the long term, but these results are very promising for future studies in small-eye rays," he said.
The data so far shows that this animal is very impressive. He is able to dive more than 198 meters and swim hundreds of kilometers per day. According to research, one individual ray spends two-thirds of its time below 30 meters.
Since vision is not that important in the dark depths, this may explain why these rays have very small eyes and are so nicknamed for their poor eyesight.