Megamouth shark
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| Megamouth shark | ||||||||||||||||
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| Megachasma pelagios Taylor, Compagno and Struhsaker, 1983 |
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 Range of megamouth shark (in blue)
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The megamouth shark, Megachasma pelagios, is an extremely rare and unusual species of deepwater shark. Since being discovered in 1976, only a few megamouth sharks have been seen with 43 specimens known to have been caught or sighted as of 2009 and three recordings on film. Like the basking shark and whale shark, it is a filter feeder, and swims with its enormous mouth wide open, filtering water for plankton and jellyfish. It is distinctive for its large head with rubbery lips. It is so unlike any other type of shark that it is classified in its own family Megachasmidae, though it has been suggested that it may belong in the family Cetorhinidae of which the basking shark is currently the sole member.
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[edit] Physical characteristics
The appearance of the megamouth is distinctive, but little else is known about it. It has a generally brownish-blackish color on top and white underneath, and an asymmetrical tail with a long upper lobe, similar to the thresher shark. The interior of its gill slits are lined with finger-like gill rakers that capture its food. A relatively poor swimmer, the megamouth has a soft, flabby body and lacks keels.
Megamouths are very large sharks, able to grow to 5.5 metres (18 ft) in length. Males mature by 4 metres (13 ft) and females by 5 metres (16 ft). Weights of up to 1,215 kilograms (2,680 lb) have been reported.
As their name implies, megamouths have a large mouth with small teeth, and a broad, rounded snout, causing observers to occasionally mistake megamouth for a young orca. The mouth is surrounded by luminous photophores, which may act as a lure for plankton or small fish.
[edit] Behaviour
In 1990 a 4.9m male megamouth shark was caught near the surface off Dana Point in California. This individual was eventually released with a small radio tag attached to its soft body. The tag relayed depth and time information over a two day period. During the day the shark cruised at a depth of around 120-160m, but as the sun set, it would ascend and spend the night at depths of between 12 and 25m. Both day and night its progress was very slow at around 1.5-2.1km/h. This pattern of vertical migration is seen in many marine animals as they track the movement of plankton in the water body.[1] The shark captured in March 2009 was reportedly netted at a depth of 200m (660 ft).
[edit] Reproduction
Reproduction is ovoviviparous, meaning that the young sharks develop in eggs that remain within the mother's body until they hatch.
[edit] Discovery
The first megamouth was captured on November 15, 1976 about 25 miles off the coast from Kaneohe, Hawaii when it became entangled in the sea anchor of a United States Navy ship. Examination of the 4.5 m, 750 kg specimen by Leighton Taylor showed it to be an entirely unknown type of shark, making it one of the more sensational discoveries in 20th century ichthyology (see also coelacanth).
[edit] Known specimens
In the 30 years since its discovery, as of 2009 only 43 megamouth specimens have been caught or sighted. They have been found in the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans. At least ten specimens have been found in the vicinity of Japan, more than any other single area. Specimens have also been pulled from the waters near Hawaii, California, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Australia, Brazil, Senegal and Ecuador.
On March 30, 2009 off Burias Island in the Philippines, a 400- to 500-kilogram (1,100-pound) 4-metre (13-foot) megamouth shark died while struggling in the fisherman's net and was taken to nearby Donsol in Sorsogon province, where it was butchered and eaten.[2][3]
[edit] See also
- For a topical guide to this subject, see Outline of sharks.
[edit] References
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This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please improve this article by introducing more precise citations where appropriate. (January 2009) |
- ^ Piper, Ross (2007), Extraordinary Animals: An Encyclopedia of Curious and Unusual Animals, Greenwood Press.
- ^ Aca, E.Q. 2009. Megamouth Shark # 41: Megamouth shark in Whale Shark waters. Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology Department.
- ^ CTV: Rare megamouth shark caught, eaten in Philippines
- Compagno (2000). Megachasma pelagios. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 10 May 2006. Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is listed as data deficient
- Megachasma pelagios (TSN 159983). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved on 23 January 2006.
- Berra, Tim M. (1997): "Some 20th century fish discoveries". Environmental Biology of Fishes 50: 1–12.
- Taylor, L.R. et al. (1983): "Megamouth - a new species, genus, and family of lamnoid shark (Megachasma pelagios, family Megachasmidae) from the Hawaiian Islands". Proc. Cal. Acad. Sci. 43A: 87–110.
- Elizaga, Elson "Megamouth Shark in Cagayan de Oro"
- Sun Star Cagayan de Oro "Megamouth shark found dead in Oro"
- Florida Museum of Natural History Megamouth Shark # 38: The First Megamouth Shark, Megachasma pelagios, Found in Mexican Waters
[edit] External links
- ARKive - images and movies of the megamouth shark (Megachasma pelagios)
- FishBase info for megamouth shark
- Elasmo Research pages on megamouth
- Florida Museum of Natural History pages on megamouth
- Video of human encounter with megamouth - YouTube
- Philippine fisherman catch and eat a megamouth shark
- Taipei Times - Taiwan quick take, Taitung fisherman catches rare megamouth.
