Satellite Tagging and Photographic Identification Reveal Connectivity Between Two UNESCO World Heritage Areas for Reef Manta Rays

摘要: Reef manta rays (Mobula alfredi) are capable of long-distance dispersal when habitat is continuous. In the Ningaloo World Heritage Area located on Australia’s mid-west coast, M. alfredi sighted year-round and a focal species for ecotourism in region. Despite value to local tourism demographic vulnerability exploitation, basic information regarding movements area use this region lacking. Here we used satellite tags long-term photographic-identification database collected by researchers citizen scientists examine species’ visitation patterns regional space use. Tagged remained coastal shelf waters, preferentially occupying shallow depths 10 years). Lagged Identification Rate analysis suggested site was best described pattern emigration reimmigration. While our observations movement residency establishes previously unknown region, overlap core with existing UNESCO Areas demonstrates potential well-positioned marine parks provide protection critical alfredi.