Trophic interactions between the giant devil ray Mobula mobular and sharks in Sicilian waters (Mediterranean Sea)

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  • Authors: F. Tiralongo1,2, G. Torre2, A. De Maddalena3
  • Affiliations:
    1. Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
    2. Ente Fauna Marina Mediterranea, Avola, Italy
    3. Shark Museum, Simon’s Town, Cape Town, South Africa
  • Keywords: devil fish, giant devil ray, Mobula mobular, shortfin mako shark, Isurus oxyrinchus, diet, predation, scavenging
  • UDC: 597.31-153(262)

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Abstract

We report two cases of trophic interactions between the giant devil ray and sharks in Sicilian waters, Mediterranean Sea. These include a shortfin mako filmed while feeding on a giant devil ray in the Messina Strait in May 2018, and a female giant devil ray stranded in Milazzo in January 2025 showing bite marks likely inflicted by a blue shark.

Keywords: devil fish, giant devil ray, Mobula mobular, shortfin mako shark, Isurus oxyrinchus, diet, predation, scavenging

Authors

F. Tiralongo

researcher, Prof., PhD

Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy / Ente Fauna Marina Mediterranea, Avola, Italy

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1625-0149

G. Torre

researcher, M. Sc.

Ente Fauna Marina Mediterranea, Avola, Italy

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7708-5223

A. De Maddalena

shark biology lecturer, M. Sc.

Shark Museum, Simon’s Town, Cape Town, South Africa

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3760-1902

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