The behaviour and spatial use patterns of juvenile manta rays within their critical nursery
habitats remain largely undocumented. Here, we report on the horizontal movements and
residency of juvenile reef manta rays (Mobula alfredi) at a recently discovered nursery site in
the Wayag lagoon, Raja Ampat, Indonesia. Using a multi-disciplinary approach, we provide
further corroborative evidence that the lagoon serves as an important M. alfredi nursery. A
total of 34 juvenile rays were photo-identified from 47 sightings in the sheltered nursery …

Although nursery areas have been identified for a variety of elasmobranch species (Heupel
et al., 2019), few studies have specifically examined the benefits of nursery areas for
newborn and juvenile elasmobranchs, such as improved fitness and increased survival.
Many elasmobranch species, including manta rays and other mobulid rays (Mobula spp.),
use shallow and sheltered habitats like lagoons as nursery areas for newborns (Heupel et
al., 2007; Stewart et al., 2018b). Reef lagoons provide several benefits for juvenile …