A paper in the Zoological Journal reports that DNA sequence data from mitochondrial genomes and c. 1000 nuclear exons has proven that the members of the genus Manta actually sit within Mobulla. Hence the oceanic manta previously known as Manta birostris and the reef manta, Manta alfredi are now known as Mobula birostris and Mobula alfredi.

The study also reduces the overall number of species in the Mobula genus from 11 to 8.