Predation of baitfishes associated with whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef

Christine Barry; Adrian C. Gleiss; Luciana C. Ferreira; Michele Thums; Randall W. Davis; Lee A. Fuiman; Naomi R. Roche; Mark G. Meekan

doi:10.1007/s00227-023-04291-4

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Predation of baitfishes associated with whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Predation of baitfishes associated with whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef

Christine Barry, Adrian C. Gleiss, Luciana C. Ferreira, Michele Thums, Randall W. Davis, Lee A. Fuiman, Naomi R. Roche and Mark G. Meekan

Marine biology, Vol.170(11), 140

2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-023-04291-4

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Abstract

Biomedical and Life Sciences

Freshwater & Marine Ecology

Life Sciences

Marine & Freshwater Sciences

Microbiology

Oceanography

Short Notes

Zoology

Baitfishes may aggregate around megafauna such as whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) to gain protection from larger predatory fishes. Here, we used videos from deployments of animal-borne cameras on whale sharks and provided by tourism operators at Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia to document large schools of trevally (Carangidae spp.) consuming entire schools of baitfishes (Carangidae spp.) swimming with whale sharks within 2–45 s. These videos showed that small baitfishes are still very vulnerable to predatory fishes when accompanying whale sharks, refuting the hypothesis that whale sharks provide baitfishes shelter from predators. It thus seems more likely that the association between whale sharks and baitfishes may confer other advantages such as reduced costs of locomotion and/or enhanced feeding opportunities for baitfishes rather than protection from predation.

Details

Title: Predation of baitfishes associated with whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef
Authors/Creators: Christine Barry - Flinders University
Adrian C. Gleiss - Murdoch University, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics
Luciana C. Ferreira - Australian Institute of Marine Science
Michele Thums - Australian Institute of Marine Science
Randall W. Davis - Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University
Lee A. Fuiman - The University of Texas Marine Science Institute
Naomi R. Roche - Naomi Rose Photography
Mark G. Meekan - Australian Institute of Marine Science
Publication Details: Marine biology, Vol.170(11), 140
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Grant note: Perry R. Bass Chair in Fisheries Mariculture at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute Santos Ltd Australian Institute of Marine Science (http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100008344) Murdoch University
Identifiers: 991005605570007891
Murdoch Affiliation: School of Environmental and Conservation Sciences
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Citation topics: 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology; 3.2 Marine Biology; 3.2.92 Fisheries Ecology
Web Of Science research areas: Marine & Freshwater Biology
ESI research areas: Plant & Animal Science