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There is also the threat of microplastics in the diets of M. birostris. A 2019 study in Indonesia’s Coral triangle was performed to determine if the filter-feeding megafauna of the area were accidentally ingesting microplastics, which can be eaten by filter-feeders either directly (by ingesting layers of plastic polymers that float on the surface of the water in feeding areas) or indirectly (by eating plankton that previously ate microplastics). The results of the study provided ample evidence that filter feeders, such as M. birostris, that lived in the area were regularly consuming microplastics. Though it was also proven via stool samples that some of the plastic simply passed through the digestive systems of manta rays, the discovery is a concern because consumption of microplastics can cause considerable damage to their health. These health effects can range from short-term negative effects like the reduction of bacteria in their guts, or even long-term effects such as pollutant-induced weakening of the population’s reproductive fitness, which could negatively affect population levels of the rays in the future.