Large Myliobatis aquila aggregations associated with tuna ranches in the Maltese Islands

Abstract

ROV footage captured around a tuna ranch off the NE coast of Malta has recorded the largest known aggregation to date of Myliobatis aquila , with over 100 individuals. Few such aggregations have been reported, and little is known about why they occur. Evidence captured on video indicates that in this case, opportunistic feeding is the driving factor behind the formation of the aggregation, although other factors such as mating and reproduction cannot be definitively excluded.

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