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CAAB: 37014000

Family RHINCODONTIDAE

Whale Shark


Compiler and date details

26 April 2011 - Douglass F. Hoese & Jennifer E. Gates

Introduction

The family Rhincodontidae contains a single living species, the Whale Shark. It is found throughout the tropical oceans of the world, generally near the surface.

Rhincodontids are viviparous, giving birth to live young; one shark was found with 300 embryos (Joung et al. 1996). They are suction filter feeders, and feed on a variety of fishes and invertebrates; they sometimes prey on larger fishes, such as small tunas. Whale sharks reach a size of 12.1 m, but earlier records suggest that the species may reach a larger size, possibly to 21 m, making it the largest fish in the world (Compagno et al. 2005).

Compagno (1984, 2001) recently reviewed current knowledge of the whale shark and Last & Sevens (1994, 2009) treated Australian records. The shark was first described under the name Rhiniodon and later under the name Rhincodon. The name Rhineodon has also been used. The International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature has ruled in favour of Rhincodon and suppressed the earlier name Rhiniodon.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
16-Apr-2012 16-Apr-2012 MODIFIED
12-Feb-2010 (import)