Animal Profile
Name: Whale Shark
Scientific Name: Rhincodon typus
It is not a domesticated species
Scientific Name: Rhincodon typus
It is not a domesticated species
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Interdependence
Population: Whale Sharks are solitary animals. They don’t interact with those of their own kind for any reason unless its mating season.
Community: Whale Sharks are gentle animals. They don’t harm anything other than their usual diet. They include protection and leftovers for fish that attach themselves onto the shark. For example; Whale Sharks and Remoras, the Remora attaches itself onto the Whale Shark and feeds off of the leftover food that the Whale Shark leaves, while the Whale Shark is mostly known to not be affected by this at all (Commensalism).
Ecosystem: Whale Sharks are filter feeders. They lower the local zooplankton population. Some Whale Sharks are carriers of small parasitic creatures. Much like in their community, the Whale shark is a ride for sharksuckers, white suckerfish, and again common Remoras.
Biome: Whale Sharks aren’t very competitive creatures, so they’ve got no competitors. While the Whale Shark is the largest species of fish, that doesn’t mean its free of predators. The main predators are Humans, Killer Whales, and other Sharks. Its Prey are what you wouldn’t expect for it to eat, due to its size. Its favorite food are Krill but enjoy plankton, crab and fish as well. All of which are habitants of the Sea.
Community: Whale Sharks are gentle animals. They don’t harm anything other than their usual diet. They include protection and leftovers for fish that attach themselves onto the shark. For example; Whale Sharks and Remoras, the Remora attaches itself onto the Whale Shark and feeds off of the leftover food that the Whale Shark leaves, while the Whale Shark is mostly known to not be affected by this at all (Commensalism).
Ecosystem: Whale Sharks are filter feeders. They lower the local zooplankton population. Some Whale Sharks are carriers of small parasitic creatures. Much like in their community, the Whale shark is a ride for sharksuckers, white suckerfish, and again common Remoras.
Biome: Whale Sharks aren’t very competitive creatures, so they’ve got no competitors. While the Whale Shark is the largest species of fish, that doesn’t mean its free of predators. The main predators are Humans, Killer Whales, and other Sharks. Its Prey are what you wouldn’t expect for it to eat, due to its size. Its favorite food are Krill but enjoy plankton, crab and fish as well. All of which are habitants of the Sea.
Flow of Energy
In most, if not all, ecosystems there is a food chain. In the Marine food chain we start off with the Producers, those of which give energy: Phytoplankton, Giant Kelp, Cyanobacteria, and Bull Kelp. Next, after the Producers, we have the high energy Herbivores: Zooplankton, Abalone, Dugong, and Short Spined Urchins. Once the Herbivores have eaten the Producers, the Carnivores: the 11-armed seastar, the Pink Anemonefish, and the Whale Shark, come in and eat the Herbivores, gathering 10% of their energy. The chain doesn’t stop there.
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Next come the Secondary Carnivores such as the Manta Ray and the Blue-Ringed Octopus. The Top Level or Tertiary Consumers come last. In this chain the Tertiary Consumers are the Tiger Shark and the Moray Eel. The Top Consumers end up with the least amount of the energy that came from the Producers. The chain doesn’t end with the Top Consumers. It ends with the Decomposers, which are: the Banded Coral Shrimp and the Mud Crab. These Decomposers eat the organic matter left of these Marine Animals, taking the nutrients from them.
In each food chain there are levels. These levels represent what part of the Energy Pyramid each animal is in. In the Marine food chain, the lowest to highest levels, are Producers, Herbivores, Carnivores, Secondary Carnivores, and Tertiary/Top Level Carnivores. Each of the levels gets 10% of the previous level’s energy when they eat them.
In each food chain there are levels. These levels represent what part of the Energy Pyramid each animal is in. In the Marine food chain, the lowest to highest levels, are Producers, Herbivores, Carnivores, Secondary Carnivores, and Tertiary/Top Level Carnivores. Each of the levels gets 10% of the previous level’s energy when they eat them.
nutrients
Nitrogen: Animals need Nitrogen to make essential compounds like RNA, DNA and Proteins, Amino Acids, and Chlorophyll.
Phosphorus: Animals release Phosphate and Ammonium in a process called (Re)Mineralization. (Re)Mineralization is the process of breaking down proteins or Organic Matter with bacteria during the process of Respiration.
Carbon: Carbon is the basic unit of life. Every animal needs it or else it’d be non-existent.
Oxygen: Oxygen and Nitrogen work together in the Marine Biomes. They use a process called Denitrification which is an anaerobic process that turns nitrate to nitrogen gas, then removing it from an animal’s body to the surrounding area. They use Nitrate instead of free oxygen to release energy from organic matter in oxidation.
Hydrogen: These animals live in water. Hydrogen is everywhere.
Phosphorus: Animals release Phosphate and Ammonium in a process called (Re)Mineralization. (Re)Mineralization is the process of breaking down proteins or Organic Matter with bacteria during the process of Respiration.
Carbon: Carbon is the basic unit of life. Every animal needs it or else it’d be non-existent.
Oxygen: Oxygen and Nitrogen work together in the Marine Biomes. They use a process called Denitrification which is an anaerobic process that turns nitrate to nitrogen gas, then removing it from an animal’s body to the surrounding area. They use Nitrate instead of free oxygen to release energy from organic matter in oxidation.
Hydrogen: These animals live in water. Hydrogen is everywhere.
succession
Succession is the observed process of change in the species structure of an ecological community over time. There are two types of Succession: Primary and Secondary.
Primary Succession is the initial establishment and development of an ecosystem. For example a forest that grows on new lava flow.
Secondary Succession is the reestablishment of an ecosystem. For example a forest that grows on an abandoned pasture or it grows after a hurricane, fire or flood.
In the ocean, succession occurs between high and low tide marks, where its usually constant. It doesn't, however, occur in the middle of the ocean where movement is always stirred by winds and currents.
Primary Succession is the initial establishment and development of an ecosystem. For example a forest that grows on new lava flow.
Secondary Succession is the reestablishment of an ecosystem. For example a forest that grows on an abandoned pasture or it grows after a hurricane, fire or flood.
In the ocean, succession occurs between high and low tide marks, where its usually constant. It doesn't, however, occur in the middle of the ocean where movement is always stirred by winds and currents.
human impact
While Whale Sharks pose no threat to humans, humans pose a threat to them. Sharks in the Pakistan, India, Taiwan, the Philippines, China, and Senegal areas are threatened by fisherman who harpoon them for their meat.
Migration Disturbances: While there's no proof, it’s possible that high levels of noise and pollution from boats may be a threat to the Whale Shark’s Migration.
Sound Disturbance: Sharks don’t speak to each other through sound, but that doesn't mean they can’t hear. “The effects of very loud sounds on shark behavior are not well documented, however it is possible that they could potentially disrupt normal behaviors such as feeding, mating, or migrating from one place to another”(Department of the Environment and Heritage, 2005).
Tourism: In the past few years, there has been a larger amount of tourist spots that will let you swim along with the Whale Sharks. Whale Sharks tend to not eat during the daytime, but these tourist spots let them feed the Sharks. Thus, quite possibly disrupting feeding patterns.
Trade: In Taiwan, this shark’s meat is the most expensive and readily available for buy. Other than eating, many things are traded. The main products traded can be the shark’s: liver oil, meat, fins, cartilage, skin, stomach and the intestines.
Boat Strikes: These sharks spend most of their time near the ocean surface. Them being so close to the surface makes them at risk of getting hurt by passing boats/ships. Although having thick skin, that doesn't make them invincible to boats. Many sharks have scars from getting hurt.
Habitat Damage: Many fisherman damage habitats indirectly. They fish out large amounts of fish which can be carnivores. The fact that they’re carnivores changes many things. These fish eat harmful creatures that can cause coral reef damage. Pollution, global warming, overfishing, and intro to destructful species affect the Whale Shark population.
Migration Disturbances: While there's no proof, it’s possible that high levels of noise and pollution from boats may be a threat to the Whale Shark’s Migration.
Sound Disturbance: Sharks don’t speak to each other through sound, but that doesn't mean they can’t hear. “The effects of very loud sounds on shark behavior are not well documented, however it is possible that they could potentially disrupt normal behaviors such as feeding, mating, or migrating from one place to another”(Department of the Environment and Heritage, 2005).
Tourism: In the past few years, there has been a larger amount of tourist spots that will let you swim along with the Whale Sharks. Whale Sharks tend to not eat during the daytime, but these tourist spots let them feed the Sharks. Thus, quite possibly disrupting feeding patterns.
Trade: In Taiwan, this shark’s meat is the most expensive and readily available for buy. Other than eating, many things are traded. The main products traded can be the shark’s: liver oil, meat, fins, cartilage, skin, stomach and the intestines.
Boat Strikes: These sharks spend most of their time near the ocean surface. Them being so close to the surface makes them at risk of getting hurt by passing boats/ships. Although having thick skin, that doesn't make them invincible to boats. Many sharks have scars from getting hurt.
Habitat Damage: Many fisherman damage habitats indirectly. They fish out large amounts of fish which can be carnivores. The fact that they’re carnivores changes many things. These fish eat harmful creatures that can cause coral reef damage. Pollution, global warming, overfishing, and intro to destructful species affect the Whale Shark population.
plant adaptations
Kelp: In tropical lands, Kelp do not grow as densely as they do in temperate waters. It can grow close to the surface, but its usually found 40-200 ft. below the surface. Kelp strengthens its roots to avoid being pulled out by fast currents.
Caulerpa: is a seaweed that grows easily in seawater aquariums. Its ability to survive and withstand harsh conditions makes it a very harmful plant. Its easy growth dwindles the biodiversity of many other weeds.
Ecklonia Radiate: This is another type of seaweed. It grows 30 to 80 feet below the surface in forests. Its a food source for many fish and animals. Not only for the marine animals is it food, but it can also be eaten by humans.
Caulerpa: is a seaweed that grows easily in seawater aquariums. Its ability to survive and withstand harsh conditions makes it a very harmful plant. Its easy growth dwindles the biodiversity of many other weeds.
Ecklonia Radiate: This is another type of seaweed. It grows 30 to 80 feet below the surface in forests. Its a food source for many fish and animals. Not only for the marine animals is it food, but it can also be eaten by humans.
animal's physical and behavioral adaptations
Skin: Its the Whale’s best defense adaptation. It keeps the shark protected from many things.
Size: Its the largest fish in the world. No one wants to mess with a behemoth.
Eyes: The Whale Shark has no eyelids. If hurt, the eye will retract into the eye cavity where a flap will cover the eye.
Sixth Sense: Whale Sharks have specialized nerves in their heads that help them capture prey. These cells can detect electromagnetic waves from creatures.
Size: Its the largest fish in the world. No one wants to mess with a behemoth.
Eyes: The Whale Shark has no eyelids. If hurt, the eye will retract into the eye cavity where a flap will cover the eye.
Sixth Sense: Whale Sharks have specialized nerves in their heads that help them capture prey. These cells can detect electromagnetic waves from creatures.