Mobula birostris https://www.gbif.org/species/9765493 itis:160992 giant manta Manta birostris Damion Dooley Until 2017, giant mantas were classified in the genus Manta, along with the smaller reef manta (Mobula alfredi). DNA testing revealed that both species are more closely related to rays of the genus Mobula than previously thought. As a result, giant mantas were renamed Mobula birostris to reflect the new classification. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_oceanic_manta_ray] atlantic manta https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_oceanic_manta_ray https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5275-8866 manta pacific manta Mobula