Not the Whaleshark

This Spotting refers to the dark patches seen on this Whale Shark; they are parasitic copepods which are only found on Whale Sharks. The name of this Copepod (Pandarus rhincodonicus) derives its name from the scientific name of Whaleshark - Rhincodon typus.

Pandarus rhincodonicus is a parasitic copepod which lives on the skin of the whale shark and are frequently found on the leading edge of the shark's lips and fins.

comments (8)

Christine Young

Lion

Ack! That poor whaleshark! Posted 7 years ago
1. Albert Kang
  
  Lion
  
  Yes, very strange that they are so badly affected by the this parasites. Posted 7 years ago
2. 1. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    It looks so severe, but I know nothing about this relationship. I did read that it is commensal though, so apparently, the whale shark does not suffer from the parasites. Looks pretty awful though. Posted 7 years ago

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Incredible shot, Albert! Posted 7 years ago
1. Albert Kang
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks, Ferdy :)
  Couldn't get much closer-up shots of them as the Whale Sharks keep swimming, although looks gentle, its very fast. Posted 7 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    This looks close enough, Albert :) Posted 7 years ago
  2. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    Something interesting that I read on the Parasite of the Day blog:
    
    "Pandarus rhincodonicus is parasitic copepod which lives on the skin of the whale shark and are frequently found on the leading edge of the shark's lips and fins. As you can imagine, this is not an easy place to make a living, as the whale shark swim at a speed of about half a metre (almost 2 feet) per second, the drag forces on P. rhincodonicus is substantial. However, the copepod's streamlined shape minimises drag forces, while a series of adhesion pads and hooks allow it to cling tightly to the whale shark's skin. The edge of the carapace is also fringed, which may also help generate a vacuum which press the copepod firmly down upon the skin, acting like a living suction pad."
    
    Just curious - did you get close enough and if yes, did you try to pull any off? They sound like they would be hard to dislodge.
    
    Link for quote: http://dailyparasite.blogspot.com/2010/08/august-4-pandarus-rhincodonicus.html Posted 7 years ago
  3. 1. Albert Kang
      
      Lion
      
      I have that link too, Christine. Thanks for sharing it here.
      
      I managed to get close enough to inspect what it was in the beginning, and then was able to try to scrape it off, but it was difficult. The copepods bites/hang onto the Whale Sharks like ticks. And after a few seconds, the whale shark shrugs off me, as I think the scraping , even just with my fingers was irritating to it. I think I have seen video footage of volunteers trying to scrape it off using a scraper. Posted 7 years ago