Or scroll down for more information about the initiative and how to contribute.
It’s believed that random genetic mutations of the stem cells at the early stages of the pups development result in these widely varying patterns of pigmentation. This means that even if a manta were to give birth to genetically identical twin pups, the ventral patterning of the two would be different.
Much like a human fingerprint, the unique nature of these spots enables manta scientists to identify every individual manta just by photographing their ventral surfaces. This simple, non-invasive technique enables the development of photo-ID databases of all the mantas within a population, allowing us to estimate population size and document movements seasonally and spatially. Over time this detailed information can reveal migration patterns, habitats critical to feeding and reproduction, and much more - all of which is crucial if we are to make informed management decisions around the conservation of these animals.
Every manta sighting, whether of a new manta or a re-sighting of a known individual, forms an important piece of a huge jigsaw puzzle.
The area above is the most important part of taking a usable ID photo. At the very least we need to see the spots in this 'Primary ID' area. Whilst not absolutely crucial, getting the bottom of the manta in the shot will reveal whether the animal is a male, female, or a juvenile.
Citizen science (also known as community science or crowd science) is scientific research conducted, in whole or in part, by non-professionals, and has truly come into its own in recent years. The technological development of our era, in combination with the accessibility of equipment such as underwater cameras, computers and smartphones, has resulted in an explosion of public participation to citizen science projects worldwide. The contribution of citizen scientists has helped with solving the structure of viruses, map our brain, discover new galaxies, discover new species, define animals’ migratory routes, and so much more!
MantaBase was created to utilise the power of citizen science to aid in the research and conservation of the world's manta rays. Today we receive over 5,000 photo-ID submissions each year and, since its global roll-out in 2012, the MantaBase database has become the largest of its kind. Over 10,000 individual reef (Mobula alfredi) and oceanic (Mobula birostris) mantas have been identified, through more than 100,000 photographed sightings from over 70 countries. But we want to step things up even further!
From Day 1, all these ID submissions have been manually processed and matched to mantas in our database by members of the Manta Team. We need to enlist technology if we hope to grow the scale and impact of the initiative further. The Manta Trust have partnered with the University of Bristol, and the not-for-profit company, IDtheAnimal Ltd, to create a fully automated visual biometric photo-ID software for manta rays, which will interface with the existing MantaBase global database. The hope is to create a novel platform that streamlines the submission of ID photos and makes the databases accessible to manta scientists and the general public around the world.
Citizen science (also known as community science or crowd science) is scientific research conducted, in whole or in part, by non-professionals, and has truly come into its own in recent years. The technological developments of our era, in combination with the accessibility of equipment such as underwater cameras, computers and smartphones, have resulted in an explosion of public participation in citizen science projects worldwide. The contribution of citizen scientists has helped with solving the structure of viruses, mapping our brain, discovering new galaxies, discovering new species, defining animals’ migratory routes, and so much more!
MantBase is an online platform that centralises manta and devil ray (mobulid) sightings and survey data from around the world. MantaBase was created to assist mobulid scientists in their work and to utilise the power of citizen science to aid the research and conservation of these threatened species. Today, we receive over 5,000 photo-ID submissions each year, and, since its global roll-out in 2012, the MantaBase database has become the largest of its kind. Over 10,000 individual manta rays have been identified through more than 100,000 photographed sightings from over 70 countries. But we want to step things up even further!
MantaBase provides the data used by the Manta Trust and our affiliate researchers to publish over one hundred scientifically peer-reviewed studies (visit our Research Portal here); publications which, in turn, have been directly used to drive conservation management decisions that have led to some of the most important protections for these species. This platform also provides feedback to its users and the wider public, educating them about these gentle giants and engaging them in the need for greater protection for the world’s oceans.
From day one, all photo-ID submissions were manually processed and matched to manta rays in our database by members of the Manta Team and our affiliate projects. However, to grow the scale, accuracy, and efficiency of the research further, the Manta Trust worked with image recognition technology experts to create a fully automated visual biometric photo-ID software called IDtheManta, which interfaces directly with MantaBase during the data submission process. This process streamlines the submission of ID photos and makes the databases accessible to manta scientists and the public around the world.
