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<p>I report the first documented observation of chafing behavior by a silky shark (<i>Carcharhinus falciformis</i>) on an oceanic manta ray (<i>Mobula birostris</i>) in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. The interaction occurred at Malpelo Island, Colombia, a remote marine protected area and biodiversity hotspot. An adult silky shark was observed rubbing its flanks against the ventral surface of a large manta ray on four separate occasions within a 15-s interval. While the manta ray displayed avoidance behaviors, the shark persistently engaged in the interaction. Chafing in sharks has been previously interpreted as a potential mechanism for ectoparasite removal, representing a rarely observed but ecologically relevant interspecific interaction among pelagic megafauna. This observation contributes to our understanding of behavioral ecology in open-ocean ecosystems.</p>

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First record of chafing behavior by silky sharks (Carcharhinus falciformis) on oceanic manta rays (Mobula birostris) at Malpelo Island, Colombia

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年9月15日

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  • Diego Cardeñosa

摘要

I report the first documented observation of chafing behavior by a silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis) on an oceanic manta ray (Mobula birostris) in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. The interaction occurred at Malpelo Island, Colombia, a remote marine protected area and biodiversity hotspot. An adult silky shark was observed rubbing its flanks against the ventral surface of a large manta ray on four separate occasions within a 15-s interval. While the manta ray displayed avoidance behaviors, the shark persistently engaged in the interaction. Chafing in sharks has been previously interpreted as a potential mechanism for ectoparasite removal, representing a rarely observed but ecologically relevant interspecific interaction among pelagic megafauna. This observation contributes to our understanding of behavioral ecology in open-ocean ecosystems.