Scientists Have Found A Third Species Of Manta Ray

Prior to this discovery, scientists only acknowledged two other manta ray species, the giant oceanic manta ray and the reef manta.

Scientists have discovered a new species of manta ray — and it’s only the third known in the whole world.

The sea creature was first spotted by conservation biologist Andrea Marshall 15 years ago, but has now officially been declared a new species of manta ray called the Atlantic manta ray. For a long time, scientists only recognized one species, the giant oceanic manta ray. However, a 2009 discovery by Marshall and other experts led to the classification of the reef manta species.

Scientists believe the Atlantic manta ray may have split from the giant oceanic manta species relatively recently, providing a unique opportunity to study the evolution of manta r