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<p>We report novel observations of chafing behavior by four Galápagos sharks (<i>Carcharhinus galapagensis)—</i>two adults and two juveniles—interacting with oceanic manta rays (<i>Mobula birostris</i>) in Revillagigedo National Park, Mexico. These records provide the first formal description of Galapagos sharks directing chafing behavior toward oceanic manta rays. Manta ray responses varied with shark size: adult sharks elicited pronounced evasive maneuvers, whereas juvenile sharks were associated with only mild postural adjustments, suggesting size-based variation in response. Such interactions could provide sharks with a substrate for localized or targeted ectoparasite removal, representing an alternative or complementary cleaning strategy in pelagic ecosystems. These findings contribute to emerging evidence that large pelagic elasmobranchs exhibit a broader repertoire of interspecific physical interactions and highlight how protected sites such as Revillagigedo National Park—the largest fully protected marine reserve in North America—may facilitate the observation of rarely documented behaviors.</p>

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Chafing behavior by Galapagos sharks on oceanic manta rays in North America’s largest marine protected area

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月1日

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  • Madalena Mesquitela Pereira Cabral,
  • Corey R. Nevels,
  • Arturo Ayala-Bocos

摘要

We report novel observations of chafing behavior by four Galápagos sharks (Carcharhinus galapagensis)—two adults and two juveniles—interacting with oceanic manta rays (Mobula birostris) in Revillagigedo National Park, Mexico. These records provide the first formal description of Galapagos sharks directing chafing behavior toward oceanic manta rays. Manta ray responses varied with shark size: adult sharks elicited pronounced evasive maneuvers, whereas juvenile sharks were associated with only mild postural adjustments, suggesting size-based variation in response. Such interactions could provide sharks with a substrate for localized or targeted ectoparasite removal, representing an alternative or complementary cleaning strategy in pelagic ecosystems. These findings contribute to emerging evidence that large pelagic elasmobranchs exhibit a broader repertoire of interspecific physical interactions and highlight how protected sites such as Revillagigedo National Park—the largest fully protected marine reserve in North America—may facilitate the observation of rarely documented behaviors.