Young whale sharks, Rhincodon typus, feeding on a copepod bloom near La Paz, Mexico

摘要: Seven small (3.2 to 5.2 m total length) whale sharks were observed suction feeding on patches of surface plankton in the Bay La Paz within 1 km shore and 2 N phosphate dock at San Juan de la Costa, 1–2 November 1993. The photographed videotaped from boat by snorkelers water. When actively shark turned its head side side, part was lifted out water, mouth opened closed 7 28 times per minute (x=17, N=13). These gulps synchronized with opening closing gill slits. This behavior occurred only patchy areas densely cloudy a layer 10 30 cm thick containing an immense concentration copepods, 95% which identified as Acartia clausi. Remoras accompanying also fed bloom.