Spinal deformity in a whale shark, Rhincodon typus (Smith 1828), encountered in the northern Gulf of Mexico, with notes on its movement patterns
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-1-2025
School
Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences
Abstract
This note details the first formal report of a spinal deformation in whale sharks, Rhincodon typus. An individual whale shark with suspected kypholordoscoliosis was observed at Ewing Bank in the Gulf of Mexico during aggregation events in 2010 and 2013. Despite the significant deformity, the shark was observed feeding on fish eggs at the surface during both encounters. Based on satellite tag tracking, its movements, temperature preferences, and depth use were within the range of other whale sharks from the region.
Publication Title
Journal of Fish Biology
Volume
106
Issue
4
First Page
1231
Last Page
1236
Recommended Citation
Hoffmayer, E.,
Driggers, W.,
Falterman, B.,
Franks, J.,
Hendon, J.,
McKinney, J.,
Shelley, J.
(2025). Spinal deformity in a whale shark, Rhincodon typus (Smith 1828), encountered in the northern Gulf of Mexico, with notes on its movement patterns. Journal of Fish Biology, 106(4), 1231-1236.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/22239