The ecological connectivity of whale shark aggregations in the Indian Ocean: a photo-identification approach.

ABSTRACT: Genetic and modelling studies suggest that seasonal aggregations of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) at coastal sites in the tropics may be linked by migration. Here, we used photo-identification (photo-ID) data collected by both citizen scientists and researchers to assess the connectedness of five whale shark aggregation sites across the entire Indian Ocean at timescales of up to a decade. We used the semi-automated program I³S (Individual Interactive Identification System) to compare photographs of the unique natural marking patterns of individual whale sharks collected from aggregations at Mozambique, the Seychelles, the Maldives, Christmas Island (Australia) and Ningaloo Reef (Australia). From a total of 6519 photos, we found no evidence of connectivity of whale shark

SUBMITTER: Andrzejaczek S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5180127 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature