Deep-diving behaviour of a whale shark Rhincodon typus during long-distance movement in the western Indian Ocean

J Fish Biol. 2009 Feb;74(3):706-14. doi: 10.1111/j.1095-8649.2008.02155.x.

Abstract

A whale shark Rhincodon typus satellite tagged off the coast of Mozambique showed a highly directional movement across the Mozambique Channel and around the southern tip of Madagascar, a minimum distance of 1200 km in 87 days. Dives to depths well into the mesopelagic and bathypelagic zones (1286 m maximum depth) were recorded in a bathymetrically non-constraining habitat. The water temperature range recorded during the fish's movement was 3.4-29.9 degrees C.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Diving*
  • Female
  • Indian Ocean
  • Male
  • Sharks / physiology*