Movements of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) tagged at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia |
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Authors: | SG Wilson JJ Polovina BS Stewart MG Meekan |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Zoology, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA;(2) Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute, 2595 Ingraham Street, San Diego, CA 92109, USA;(3) Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, 2570 Dole Street, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA;(4) Australian Institute of Marine Science, PO Box 40197, 0811 Darwin, NT, Casuarina MC, Australia |
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Abstract: | Whale sharks (Rhincodon typus Smith) aggregate seasonally (March–June) to feed in coastal waters off Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia. Pop-up archival
tags were attached to 19 individuals (total lengths 4.5–11.0 m) at this location in early May of 2003 and 2004 to examine
their horizontal and vertical movements. The long-term movement patterns of six whale sharks were documented, all of which
travelled northeast into the Indian Ocean after departing Ningaloo Reef. They used both inshore and offshore habitats and
made extensive vertical movements, occasionally to a depth of at least 980 m. Frequent up-and-down movements, diel vertical
migration, and crepuscular descents were evident in the depth records. The sharks experienced ambient temperatures ranging
between 4.2 and 28.7°C and encountered gradients of up to 20.8°C on dives. |
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