First record of bottom-feeding behaviour in the whale shark (Rhincodon typus)

Despite being the world's largest fish, many questions remain regarding the ecology and behaviour of the whale shark (Rhincodon typus). We present the first direct evidence of whale sharks engaging in bottom-feeding behaviour and provide potential explanations for this foraging strategy. We suggest that whale sharks actively feed on benthic prey, either predominantly in deepwater environments or where the abundance of such prey exceeds that of planktonic food sources. We also highlight the potential for ecotourism and citizen science projects to contribute to our understanding of marine megafauna behavioural ecology.

Automated summary

This study presents the first direct evidence of bottom-feeding behavior in whale sharks and offers potential explanations for their foraging strategy. The findings suggest that whale sharks actively feed on benthic prey in deepwater environments or where such prey is more abundant than planktonic food sources. The study also highlights the importance of ecotourism and citizen science projects in enhancing our understanding of marine megafauna behavioral ecology.