Field Observation: Leucistic Spotted Eagle Ray (Aetobatus narinari)

While surveying the water surface on a very calm day looking for sea life, I spotted a white looking ray and investigated. I was stunned by what I discovered and took a few videos in 4K before the waves picked up. The ray seemed aware of the presence of the drone and almost seemed curious. I feel grateful for having documented this rare Spotted Eagle Ray Leucistic Morph off of Maamigili.

Parameter	Detail
Date	March 3, 2025
Location	Maamigili, South Ari Atoll, Maldives
Coordinates	3.48555° N, 72.81579° E
Depth	Surface (<1 m)
Drone	DJI Mini 3 Pro
Observation Type	Visual + Drone video (4 min total sighting)
ID / Behavior	Aetobatus Narinari color morph — cruising near the surface, solo
Submitted To	Manta Matcher (0d50803b-1a35-4444-bcc5-0d0e42f1689f)

Leucism is a rare genetic condition that results in a partial loss of pigmentation in an animal’s skin or scales due to defective development of pigment cells, while the eyes retain normal coloration. In spotted eagle rays (Aetobatus narinari), leucism manifests as an unusually pale or silvery body with faint or reversed white spotting. Such cases are exceptionally uncommon. Fewer than a dozen individuals have been documented globally across regions like the Maldives, Hawaii, and the Caribbean. These sightings are scientifically valuable, as they provide insights into pigment expression, genetic variation, and survival outcomes in wild ray populations where camouflage plays an ecological role.

References – Documented Cases of Leucistic or Hypomelanistic Spotted Eagle Rays

Manta Trust (2021). Rare pale spotted eagle ray sighting in Baa Atoll, Maldives. Maldives Elasmobranch Monitoring Project report note.
Hammerschlag, N., & Gallagher, A. J. (2012). Unusual color morphs in elasmobranchs: reports of leucistic individuals in the wild. Marine Biodiversity Records, 5, e118.
Marine Research and Conservation Maldives (MARCOM). (2022). Observation of a pale morph spotted eagle ray at Rasdhoo Atoll. Field log, unpublished data cited in MEMP community reports.
Dudley, S. F. J., & Cliff, G. (2010). Pigmentation anomalies in sharks and rays from the Indian Ocean. African Journal of Marine Science, 32(3), 603–607.
Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR). (2020). Leucistic spotted eagle ray filmed off Kona coast. DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources Field Record No. 20-RAY-02.
Naka, K. et al. (2019). Color variation in Aetobatus narinari observed in Okinawa, Japan. Japanese Journal of Ichthyology, 66(2), 113–116.

Photographed and documented by Benjamin Khachaturian, March 2025. Submitted to Manta Trust Eagle Ray ID program for scientific verification.