Miller Ingo B, Fitzpatrick Richard, Abrantes Kátya G, Norman Bradley, Pierce Simon J, Erdmann Mark V, Hoopes Lisa A, Dudgeon Christine, Dunbabin Matthew D, Dove Alistair D M, Beaman Robin J, Reynolds Samantha D, Rohner Christopher, Williams Samuel M, Paton David, Lewis Sonny, Barnett Adam
Biopixel Oceans Foundation Cairns Queensland Australia.
AIMS@JCU, College of Science & Engineering James Cook University Townsville Queensland Australia.
Ecol Evol. 2025 Jun 24;15(6):e71552. doi: 10.1002/ece3.71552. eCollection 2025 Jun.
Aggregations are key events, supporting critical ecological and biological functions in many species. For highly mobile and elusive species, aggregations often provide the only feasible opportunities for research. Whale sharks () form at least 30 consistent seasonal aggregation sites globally, yet none have been documented in the Coral Sea, despite sporadic sightings of solitary individuals and groups. This study aimed to identify and characterise the first whale shark aggregation on Australia's east coast by predicting potential sites through a data layering approach and confirming their presence through targeted field expeditions. A combination of historical sightings data, expert and anecdotal knowledge, and scientific knowledge from other whale shark aggregation sites led to the identification of Wreck Bay, situated at the far northern Great Barrier Reef, as potential aggregation habitat. An initial field expedition in 2019 confirmed the aggregation, and three subsequent voyages in 2021-2024 gathered further demographic and movement data. A total of 59 individuals were identified, with a strong male bias (3.5:1) and all classified as immature sharks ranging from 3.5 to 8.0 m in estimated total length. Satellite tracking revealed a mean residence time of approximately 3 weeks (21.6 days ±10.1 SD; range: 7-43 days), with some individuals revisiting the aggregation in subsequent years. The peak aggregation period occurs from late November to late December, with movements concentrated along the continental shelf before dispersing into the Coral Sea. Tracked sharks ( = 18) exhibited wide-ranging movements, with a mean track duration of 144 days (range: 3-770 days) and a mean total track length of 1463 km (range: 19-11,355 km). This study provides the first evidence of a whale shark aggregation in the Coral Sea and highlights Wreck Bay as key habitat for this iconic and globally endangered species.
聚集是关键事件,支持着许多物种的重要生态和生物学功能。对于高度移动且难以捉摸的物种而言,聚集往往为研究提供了唯一可行的机会。鲸鲨()在全球形成了至少30个稳定的季节性聚集地点,但尽管有零星的个体和群体目击记录,珊瑚海却尚未有聚集点被记录。本研究旨在通过数据分层方法预测潜在地点,并通过有针对性的实地考察确认其存在,从而识别和描述澳大利亚东海岸首个鲸鲨聚集点。结合历史目击数据、专家和轶事知识以及来自其他鲸鲨聚集点的科学知识,确定位于大堡礁最北端的沉船湾为潜在的聚集栖息地。2019年的首次实地考察证实了该聚集点的存在,随后在2021年至2024年进行的三次航行收集了更多的种群统计学和移动数据。总共识别出59条个体,雄性占比很大(3.5:1),所有个体均被归类为未成年鲨鱼,估计全长在3.5至8.0米之间。卫星追踪显示平均停留时间约为3周(21.6天±10.1标准差;范围:7 - 43天),一些个体在随后几年会重返该聚集点。聚集高峰期出现在11月下旬至12月下旬,移动集中在大陆架沿线,之后分散到珊瑚海。被追踪的鲨鱼(n = 18)表现出广泛的移动,平均追踪时长为144天(范围:3 - 770天),平均总追踪长度为1463千米(范围:19 - 11,355千米)。本研究提供了珊瑚海存在鲸鲨聚集点的首个证据,并突出了沉船湾作为这一标志性且全球濒危物种的关键栖息地。