Telemetry and satellite tracking of whale sharks, Rhincodon typus, in the Sea of Cortez, Mexico, and the north Pacific Ocean
Telemetry and satellite tracking of whale sharks, Rhincodon typus, in the Sea of Cortez, Mexico, and the north Pacific Ocean
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DOI：
10.1023/a:1007674716437
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发表时间：
2001-02-01
影响因子：
1.4
通讯作者：
Stewart, BS
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Eckert, SA;Stewart, BS
我们使用卫星连接的无线电遥测技术记录了科尔特斯海以及鲸鲨迁徙到北太平洋时的地理和垂直运动以及热栖息地。在 1994 年至 1996 年间标记的 17 条鲨鱼中，有 6 条在 12 至 39 天的跟踪期间广泛分布在科尔特斯海。另外四个离开科尔特斯海，广泛分布在北太平洋。事实上，一只鲸鲨迁徙到了北太平洋西部，在 37 个月的追踪中行程超过 13,000 公里。鲨鱼通常生活在海面水温在 28 至 32 摄氏度之间的区域，但也有一些分布在 240 m 或更深处，水温达到 10 摄氏度或更冷的区域。鲸鲨可能会根据体型和性别进行分离，它们的运动模式似乎与海洋特征有关，例如海山和边界流，这些特征可能会提高初级生产力。这些结果对于全球最大但鲜为人知的鱼类的保护具有重要意义。我们认为卫星遥测是一种非常有前途的工具，可以帮助更多地了解鲸鲨的生态，特别是与传统的遥测和分子生物学方法相结合时。
We used satellite-linked radio telemetry to document the geographic and vertical movements and thermal habitats of whale sharks in the Sea of Cortez and as they migrated into the north Pacific Ocean. Of 17 sharks tagged between 1994 and 1996, six dispersed widely in the Sea of Cortez during 12-39 days of tracking. Four others left the Sea of Cortez and ranged extensively in the north Pacific Ocean. Indeed, one whale shark migrated to the western north Pacific Ocean, covering over 13 000 km in 37 months of tracking. The sharks generally occupied areas where sea surface water temperatures were between 28 and 32 degreesC, though several ranged to depths of 240 m or deeper where water temperature reached 10 degreesC or colder. Whale sharks may segregate by size and sex, and their movement patterns appear to be related to oceanographic features, such as sea mounts and boundary currents, where primary productivity may be enhanced. These results have important implications for the global conservation of the world's largest yet least known fish. We think that satellite telemetry is a exceptionally promising tool for learning more about the ecology of whale sharks, especially when combined with conventional methods of telemetry and molecular biology.