Three-way symbiotic relationships in whale sharks
Bradley M. Norman A B , Samantha D. Reynolds B C and David L. Morgan
A D
A Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA, Australia.
B ECOCEAN Inc., Serpentine, WA, Australia.
C Franklin Eco-Laboratory, The School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: d.morgan@murdoch.edu.au
Pacific Conservation Biology 28(1) 80-83 https://doi.org/10.1071/PC20043
Submitted: 29 April 2020 Accepted: 18 February 2021 Published: 9 March 2021
Journal Compilation © CSIRO 2022 Open Access CC BY
Abstract
Symbiotic relationships between fishes and other organisms are not always easily defined, and three-way symbiotic relationships are rarely reported. Here we examine the relationship between the endangered whale shark, echeneids (remoras and sharksuckers) and a symbiotic copepod. Through their symbiosis with whale sharks, sharksuckers gain one food source from the host’s parasites and energetically-free transportation to foraging areas, where they are also able to feed on the prey targeted by their hosts. The relationship between whale sharks and sharksuckers is complex, and most accurately described as mutualism. Likewise, the whale shark and copepod relationship is also complex, and could be described as a parasitic relationship with commensal or even mutualistic characteristics. Although echeneids are not considered to form host-specific relationships and can be free-ranging, the whale shark copepod occurs only on whale sharks; its survival inextricably linked to that of its host.
Keywords: commensalism, copepods, Echeneidae, mutualism, parasitism, sharksuckers.
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