The movement of the hard drive's read/write heads over different areas of the disk when accessing fragmented files is slower, compared to accessing the entire contents of a non-fragmented file sequentially without moving the read/write heads to seek other fragments.
The giant oceanic manta ray can grow to a disc size of up to 7 m (23 ft) with a weight of about 1,350 kg (2,980 lb) but average size commonly observed is 4.5 m (15 ft). It is dorsoventrally flattened and has large, triangular pectoral fins on either side of the disc.
That means their fetuses must get nutrients in some other way. Despite the rays' huge size (they can grow up to 16 feet, or 5 meters, across), marine biologists know little about their lives. New research detailed today (June 5) in the journal Biology Letters reveals more than ever before about manta ray pregnancies.