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https://theconversation.com/we-attached-cameras-to-whale-sharks-and-captured-krill-chases-never-witnessed-before-286034>
"Whale sharks (
Rhincodon typus) – the world’s biggest fish – are one of the
most charismatic marine species. They connect with the hearts of anyone lucky
enough to encounter them, making people deeply curious about their lives and
invested in their conservation.
Yet most of what researchers know about the behaviour of whale sharks comes
from snorkelling or watching them from boats at the sea surface – only a small
part of their entire habitat. Much of their lives below the surface remains a
mystery.
Whale sharks live in tropical oceans where food is often sparse and patchily
distributed, so they need to constantly adapt. As oceans are affected by
climate change, food for whale sharks may become even more scarce, so it’s
important to understand their feeding strategies.
Our new research, published today in
Marine Biology, used cameras carried by
whale sharks themselves, to follow them below the water surface in a tropical
coastal gathering site.
Our work has revealed new behaviours and, for the first time, provides a more
comprehensive picture of whale shark foraging strategies throughout the water
column – from the surface to the bottom of the sea."
Share and enjoy,
*** Xanni ***
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mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
