About Fishes
Manta Ray Scales/Thorns
Dorsal view of Manta Ray scales/thorns. Photo: S. Lindsay © Australian Museum.
Side view of Manta Ray scales/thorns. Photo: S. Lindsay © Australian Museum.
These images show the thorns on the tail of a Manta Ray. The thorns are modified scales.
The images were obtained by removing a small section of skin from an old dried Manta Ray tail in the collection (registration number AMS I.39408-001). This was gold coated and examined using the scanning electron microscope at the Australian Museum.
