WAMSI PhD Top-up - 3.9.8 - The trophic ecology and habitat requirements of the manta ray (Manta birostris) in lagoonal systems of Ningaloo Reef, WA

From 2004 to 2010 - the trophic ecology and habitat requirements of the manta ray (Manta birostris) in lagoonal systems of Ningaloo Reef, WA were studied.

This was undertaken by photographic identification of manta rays, looking at zooplankton assemblages from weekly net tows over 2 years; looking at biological and physical oceanography through profile fluorometry, CTD casts and subsurface drifters; trophic ecology of manta rays was investigated using stable isotope abundances of C and N from samples of manta tissue and various potential and actual prey items collected over a two year period. Finally as part of the Australia wide acoustic tracking program (AATAMS), 27 transmitters (with 18 months battery life) have been attached to Manta Rays through 2008, with an additional 13 to be deployed in early 2009.