Whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) feed on baitfish with other predators at Ningaloo Reef
E. Lester
A * , T. Cannon B , S. Lawrence B , J. Wilton C and G. Araujo D
A Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kensington, Perth, WA 6151, Australia.
B Ocean Collective Media, Ningaloo, WA 6071, Australia.
C Jake Wilton Photography, Ningaloo, WA 6701, Australia.
D Marine Research and Conservation Foundation, Somerset, UK.
Pacific Conservation Biology 29(1) 86-87 https://doi.org/10.1071/PC21033
Submitted: 25 May 2021 Accepted: 20 December 2021 Published: 1 February 2022
© 2023 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND)
Abstract
We provide rare in-water evidence of whale sharks feeding on baitballs in the presence of other predators. Our observations provide evidence of the complexity of whale shark feeding behaviour and provide a compelling insight into the interactions of this species with other predatory taxa in Western Australia.
Keywords: bait ball, citizen science, fish ecology, marine ecology, predator-prey interactions, sharks, whale shark.
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