Tiger shark predation on large ocean sunfishes (Family Molidae) – two Australian observations

摘要: Sharks are commonly listed as predators of the large ocean sunfishes (genera Mola and Masturus), yet documented shark predation events on adult sunfish exceedingly infrequent in literature. Here we recount two Australian observations tiger (Galeocerdo cuvier) ca. 1.3 2 m total length, respectively. The attacks demonstrate that sharks both able willing to predate sunfish; however, based a paucity remains stomach analyses, lack reports common parasite Molicola horridus sharks, these likely represent opportunistic events. seemingly limited interactions may reflect differing habitat use by within their overlapping distribution ranges, alternatively, comprise low quality or undesired prey for sharks. Further, despite indications debilitation during accounts, indiscriminate feeding with no particular handling strategy.