Ecosystem Roles
Copepods, specifically Pandarus rhincodonicus, often live on the lips and fins of whale sharks, feeding on bacteria and other micro-organisms found on the skin. Because the mouth of copepods can move back and forth, they can also rid sharks of any irregularities found on the skin. Occasionally whale sharks are hosts to remora.
Mutualist Species:
Commensal/Parasitic Species:
- Norman, B., D. Newbound, B. Knott. 2000. A new species of Pandaridae (Copepoda), from the whale shark Rhincodon typus (Smith. Journal of Natural History, 34/3: 355-366.
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Rhincodon typus
Source information
©1995-2012, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
© The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
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Supplier:
Animal Diversity Web
Editor: Karen Francl, Radford University
Editor: Gail McCormick, University of Michigan
Author: Holly French, Radford University
French, H. 2011. "Rhincodon typus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 04, 2012 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Rhincodon_typus.html
Revisions
- 2012-05-08 09:30:20 UTC
- 2011-08-23 05:43:37 UTC
- 2011-08-22 07:17:53 UTC
