Title
Diving behaviour of whale sharks in relation to a predictable food pulse
Author(s)
Graham R.T., Roberts C.M., Smart J.C.R.
Published
2006
Publisher
Journal of the Royal Society Interface
Abstract
We present diving data for four whale sharks in relation to a predictable food pulse (reef fish spawn) and an analysis of the longest continuous fine-resolution diving record for a planktivorous shark. Fine-resolution pressure data from a recovered pop-up archival satellite tag deployed for 206 days on a whale shark were analysed using the fast Fourier Transform method for frequency domain analysis of time-series. The results demonstrated that a free-ranging whale shark displays ultradian, diel and circa-lunar rhythmicity of diving behaviour. Whale sharks dive to over 979.5 m and can tolerate a temperature range of 26.4°C. The whale sharks made primarily diurnal deep dives and remained in relatively shallow waters at night. Whale shark diving patterns are influenced by a seasonally predictable food source, with shallower dives made during fish spawning periods. © 2005 The Royal Society.
Keywords
tracer; analytic method; animal behavior; article; circadian rhythm; diving; feeding behavior; food intake; nonhuman; shark; temperature acclimatization; animal; biological rhythm; periodicity; physiology; swimming; Chondrichthyes; Rhincodontidae; Animals; Biological Clocks; Diving; Feeding Behavior; Periodicity; Sharks; Swimming
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PUB10917