New manta ray species discovered off Florida Coast

Marine researchers have identified a new species of manta ray off the coast of Florida, marking only the third known manta ray species in the world.

What we know:

After nearly 20 years of research, scientists say they’ve successfully identified and documented a brand-new manta ray species that lives in the Atlantic Ocean.

The Marine Megafauna Foundation in Florida has been leading the way, scouring the sea trying to find and document the new species. The new species is very similar to the other two already-established manta rays but has differences in genes, their skin and teeth.

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The animals are endangered across the world because of fisheries, boat strikes and getting tangled in fishing gear. Sc

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