Dr. Andrea Marshall spent over 15 years becoming the world’s foremost expert on manta rays, learning every detail of the two known species until she could tell them apart with her eyes closed. So when she dove with manta rays off the coast of Mexico and encountered a specimen that looked completely different from anything she had studied, she knew she was witnessing something extraordinary. After years of careful observation and genetic testing, Marshall and her team have officially confirmed the discovery of Mobula yarae, only the third known manta ray species in the world and one of the largest marine species discoveries in 50 years.
Named after a mythical mermaid-like figure from Brazilian mythology, this new Atlantic manta can grow up to 20 feet in length and shows distinctive grey wing tips with a bold V-shaped pattern on its shoulders that sets it apart from its cousins. What makes this discovery even more remarkable is that scientists believe they’re witnessing evolution in action, as genetic evidence suggests this species diverged relatively recently from other mantas. Marshall’s groundbreaking work proves that even in our modern age, Earth still has incredible surprises waiting to be discovered in the depths of our oceans. Her advice to curious kids says it all: the only barrier to discovery is assuming we know everything, when we’ve barely scratched the surface of what’s out there.