Animals
In Great Barrier Reef, Amazing Photos Captured of World’s Only Known Pink Manta Ray
The rose-tinted manta ray is named Inspector Clouseau.
(TMU) — An underwater photographer has captured rare images of the world’s only known pink manta ray, dazzling online observers and marine biologists.
The rose-tinted manta ray is named Inspector Clouseau—in homage to the detective from the Pink Panther films—and is known to dwell near Lady Elliot Island in the Great Barrier Reef, Australia.
Finnish photographer Kristian Laine was fortunate enough to get within touching distance of the rare creature, which was first spotted in 2015 by diving instructor Ryan Jeffery, reports Australian Geographic.
The photographer Kristian Laine bumped into a bubblegum pink manta ray on the Great Barrier Reef – probably a rare mutation, like albinism but oh wow, how beautiful! Follow Kristain on Instagram @kristianlainephotography
for more underwater marvels. pic.twitter.com/BfCBK0jg9a— Lucy Cooke (@mslucycooke) February 13, 2020
Laine took the brilliant photos some time last year.
He explained to Daily Mail:
“It is very rare because I think there has only been around eight to 10 sightings since the first sighting in 2015.
I felt amazed afterwards but also felt like when I was in its eye level, I felt like he was smiling at me.
He was big and I got into a touch range but obviously didn’t touch, I was super close, about a meter at best.
The whole encounter lasted for about 20 to 30 minutes and he was part of a mating manta train that was just circling around a cleaning station.”
While scientists had initially believed that the manta ray’s pink belly was perhaps a result of a skin infection, the University of Queensland’s Project Manta believes that “the coloration is just an unusual and unique expression of the skin’s melanin.” However, other theories have been floated about why the ray has its unusual pink color.
Laine continued:
“I have read multiple different answers, they have analyzed a sample of his skin and they have changed their theories many times and still don’t seem to know for sure.
I think the latest theory is that it’s some sort of a genetic mutation causing a pink of melanin to be expressed.”
By Elias Marat | Creative Commons | TheMindUnleashed.com
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