New Way To Study Endangered Whale Sharks
By Matt J. Weiss, April 8, 2009 @ 01:00 AM (EST)
Source: Sciencedaily.com
That threat is underscored in a new study from geneticists led by Jennifer Schmidt, University of Illinois at Chicago associate professor of biological sciences, reported online April 7 in the journal PLoS One.
Schmidt and her colleagues studied the DNA of 68 whale sharks from 11 locations across the Indian and Pacific Oceans and the Caribbean Sea -- an area that covers most of the shark's known range. Results showed little genetic variation between the populations, which indicates migration and interbreeding among far-flung populations of the big fish.
"Our data show that whale sharks found in different oceans are genetically quite similar, which means that animals move and interbreed between populations," said Schmidt. "From a conservation standpoint, it means that whale sharks in protected waters cannot be assumed to stay in those waters, but may move into areas where they may be in danger."
A tropical fish that can grow 50 feet or longer and weigh over 20 tons, a whale shark's range can span oceans. They do not breed until they are about 25 to 30 years old, so it will take a long time for the species to recover from recent population declines.
Comments
Be the first to add a comment to this article.
You must be logged in to comment.
Related Content
January 26, 2012, 7:00AM
Limit to time snorkelers can spend with country’s infamous whale sharks more
September 7, 2011, 1:54PM
Video shot with highly anticipated Canon EF8-15mm lens more
September 1, 2011, 7:00AM
Dense shoals of sardines run through Philippines every year more
February 20, 2011, 9:00AM
Simple changes in fishing gear could save tens of thousands of Coral Triangle turtles more
February 9, 2011, 9:00AM
New measurement method could reveal whale sharks are bigger than previously thought more
Sponsors
Dive Industry News
What's New
