The origin of the divergent M. birostris haplotype (MB12) is
uncertain. Occurrence of divergent ‘Atlantic-like’ haplotypes in
the Indian and Pacific Ocean with low frequencies, as well as the
possibility of cryptic speciation events, has been reported in other
widespread elasmobranchs (Duncan et al., 2006). Along with studies
on the taxonomic status of manta rays in the Atlantic Ocean
(Marshall et al., 2009), global phylogeographic studies for both
species are needed to consider their demographic histories and
evolution in more detail.