Manta rays are not sharks, though they share some interesting biological connections. While distinct species, they are evolutionary cousins within the broader group of cartilaginous fish. This shared ancestry accounts for some perceived similarities, even as their physical forms and lifestyles diverge significantly.
The Cartilaginous Connection
Manta rays and sharks both belong to the class Chondrichthyes, a group of fish characterized by skeletons made primarily of cartilage rather than bone. This flexible, durable tissue provides structural support for both animals. Within Chondrichthyes, they are further classified into the subclass Elasmobranchii, which includes sharks, rays, and skates. This cartilaginous skeleton distinguishes them from bony fish.
Physical Distinctions
Manta rays and sharks exhibit clear anatomical differences. Sharks have a torpedo-shaped, cylindrical body designed for efficient movement through the water. In contrast, manta rays have a flattened, disc-shaped body with expansive, wing-like pectoral fins fused to their heads.
Their gill slit location also varies. Sharks have five to seven pairs of gill slits positioned laterally along the sides of their heads. Manta rays have five pairs of gill slits on their ventral surface. A shark’s mouth is located on the underside of its head, while a manta ray’s mouth is large and positioned terminally at the front. Manta rays also possess unique horn-shaped cephalic fins on either side of their mouths.
Lifestyle and Habitat Differences
Manta rays and sharks have distinct feeding strategies and habitats. Manta rays are filter feeders, consuming large quantities of microscopic zooplankton and small fish by swimming with their wide mouths open. They use specialized gill rakers to strain food particles from the water. Sharks are predatory hunters, with diverse diets ranging from fish and crustaceans to marine mammals.
Their swimming patterns also differ. Manta rays propel themselves through the water with undulating movements of their large pectoral fins. Sharks, by contrast, use powerful side-to-side movements of their tail fin for propulsion. While some sharks must continuously swim to breathe, manta rays can pump water over their gills when stationary.
Manta rays are found in warm temperate, subtropical, and tropical waters, near coastlines, reefs, or open ocean surfaces where plankton is abundant. Sharks inhabit a wider range of aquatic environments, from shallow coastal areas and coral reefs to the deep sea and even some freshwater systems.