Megamouth shark (Megachasma pelagios) fish species and Megamouth shark information

Scientific Name
Megachasma pelagios

Common Name
Megamouth shark

Biology
Oceanic, possibly occurring in depths between 150 and 1,000 m. Epi- and mesopelagic. Feeds on planktivorous prey such as euphausiid shrimps, copepods and jellyfish. May also eat small midwater fishes. Ovoviviparous. Possibly less active than the basking and whale sharks. Its feeding habits and habitat suggest that it may be a rare catch in the future. Ovoviviparous, embryos feeding on yolk sac and other ova produced by the mother. Males mature by 400 cm. A bright white band on the snout just above the upper jaw may play a role in feeding behavior or with recognition of individuals. Preyed on by the semi-parasitic cookiecutter shark, Isistius brasiliensis.

Classification

Classified By

Taylor, Compagno & Struhsaker, 1983

Class

Sharks and Rays (Elasmobranchii)

Order

Mackerel sharks (Lamniformes)

Family

Megamouth sharks (Megachasmidae)

Distribution

Region

Pacific Ocean

Distribution

Pacific Ocean: Japan, Indonesia, Philippines, Hawaii and California, USA. Atlantic Ocean: Brazil and Senegal.

Range

40°N - 40°S, 180°W - 180°E

Environment

Climate

Deep-water

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

5 m

Depth To - meters

600 m

Zone

pelagic-oceanic

Environment

Marine; pelagic-oceanic; oceanodromous ; depth range 5 - 600 m , usually 120 - 166 m

Trophic Level

3.38 s.e. 0.39 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

549 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 1.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: of no interest

Vulnerability

Very high vulnerability (89 of 100)

Resilience

Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (Fec assumed to be

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Data deficient (DD)

Megamouth shark (Megachasma pelagios) fish species and information / pictures of Megamouth shark - Megachasma pelagios

Megamouth shark (Megachasma pelagios) fish species information

Classification

Distribution

Environment

Physical Size and Genetics

Human Uses and Population