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Journal article
Natural and Artificial Structures Influence the Movement and Habitat Connectivity of Whale Sharks ( Rhincodon typus ) Across Seascapes
Diversity & distributions, Vol.31(1), e13950
2025
Abstract
Aim
To understand how natural geomorphological features and oil and gas platforms (OG platforms) influence the habitat use and seascape connectivity of the whale shark (Rhincodon typus).
Location
East-Indian Ocean and North-West Australia.
Methods
We compiled a satellite tracking dataset of 78 whale sharks tagged across a 14-year period at Ningaloo Reef and Shark Bay World Heritage Areas in Western Australia to develop spatial networks for the regions of the East-Indian Ocean and North-West Australia. We then applied a Bayesian modelling framework to assess the effects of natural features and OG platforms on spatial patterns and habitat connectivity.
Results
Geomorphological features such as pinnacles, canyons, and seamounts promoted habitat connectivity and strongly influenced the habitat use of whale sharks across both regional (1000's km; East-Indian Ocean) and local (100's km; North-West Australia) spatial scales. In the North-West of Australia, OG platforms had similar effects on habitat use as natural feature types and also enhanced habitat connectivity. The OG platforms most visited by whale sharks were situated close to the edge of the continental shelf and near natural geomorphological features that likely enhance productivity.
Main Conclusion
Our work identified natural geomorphological features that promoted habitat use and connectivity for whale sharks across oceanic and coastal seascapes. Sharks routinely visited OG platforms, which acted as migratory stepping stones that further enhanced habitat connectivity. Protection of natural feature types that promote habitat use and connectivity could assist conservation management of whale sharks. We suggest that the influence of OG platforms on their movement and habitat use beyond individual structures, should be considered in environmental impact assessments during operation and decommissioning phases.
Details
- Title
- Natural and Artificial Structures Influence the Movement and Habitat Connectivity of Whale Sharks ( Rhincodon typus ) Across Seascapes
- Authors/Creators
- Ben D'Antonio - The University of Western AustraliaLuciana C. Ferreira - The University of Western AustraliaRebecca Fisher - Australian Institute of Marine ScienceMichele Thums - The University of Western AustraliaCharitha B. Pattiaratchi - The University of Western AustraliaAna M. M. Sequeira - The University of Western AustraliaCal Faubel - Australian Institute of Marine ScienceSamantha Reynolds - ECOCEAN Inc. Coogee Western Australia Australia, School of the Environment The University of Queensland Queensland AustraliaBrad Norman - Murdoch University, Centre for Sustainable Aquatic EcosystemsMark Meekan - Australian Institute of Marine Science
- Publication Details
- Diversity & distributions, Vol.31(1), e13950
- Publisher
- John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
- Number of pages
- 15
- Grant note
- Australian Institute of Marine ScienceAustralian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship at UWA: ARC DP DP210103091 Pew Charitable TrustsCouncil of Australian University Librarians
The authors acknowledge the Baiyungu, Thalanyji, and Yinikurtura peoples who are the Traditional Owners of Sea Country of Nyinggulu (Ningaloo) reef and the Malgana peoples who are the Traditional Owners of Sea Country of Gathaagudu (Shark Bay) and its surrounding waters on which this work was undertaken. We recognise these peoples ongoing spiritual and physical connection to Country and pay our respects to their Aboriginal Elders past and present. B.D. was supported by the Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship at UWA. A.M.M.S. was supported by a 2020 Fellowship in Marine Conservation by the Pew Charitable Trusts, and an ARC DP DP210103091. Open access publishing facilitated by The University of Western Australia, as part of the Wiley - The University of Western Australia agreement via the Council of Australian University Librarians.
- Identifiers
- 991005732477607891
- Copyright
- © 2025 The Author(s).
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Harry Butler Institute; Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Domestic collaboration
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- Citation topics
- 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
- 3.2 Marine Biology
- 3.2.92 Fisheries Ecology
- Web Of Science research areas
- Biodiversity Conservation
- Ecology
- ESI research areas
- Environment/Ecology