Occurrence of Whale Shark in Nigerian Deep Water: Need for Further Survey

Abstract

Whale shark (Rhincodon typus) records were reported incidentally from offshore vessels in Nigerian deep waters in 2013 and 2016. The two records were observed directly by the authors and were identified from photographs. Visual observation showed that the size of the species sighted could be approximately 10 -15 m long. This present work, however, highlighted and confirmed the possible abundance of the whale shark in Nigerian deep water. Reports from the areas of sighting showed the presence and abundance of phytoplankton, zooplankton, and benthic organisms. These could have contributed to the presence and occurrence of this species within the areas where they are sighted. This report, however, confirms the occurrence of the whale shark in Nigerian deep water and the need for a concerted and dedicated survey to properly document the presence of this species in Nigeria and the adjoining countries. 

Keywords

• Nigeria
• Phytoplankton
• Rhincodon typus
• Whale shark
• Zooplankton

Nijerya'nın Derin Sularında Balina Köpekbalığı Varlığı: İleri Çalışmalar Yapılması İçin Öncü Bir Araştırma

Öz

Balina köpekbalığı (Rhincodon typus) kayıtları tesadüfen 2013 ve 2016 yıllarında Nijerya'nın derin sularındaki açık deniz gemilerinden rapor edildi. İki kayıt doğrudan yazarlar tarafından gözlemlendi ve fotoğraflardan teşhis edildi. Görsel gözlem, görülen türlerin boyutunun yaklaşık 10-15 m uzunluğunda olabileceğini gösterdi. Bununla birlikte, bu mevcut çalışma, balina köpekbalığının Nijerya'nın derin sularındaki olası bolluğunu doğruladı. Görülme alanlarından gelen raporlar, fitoplankton, zooplankton ve bentik organizmaların varlığını ve bolluğunu gösterdi. Bu veriler, türün görüldükleri alanlarda bulunmasına ve ortaya çıkmasına katkıda bulunmuş olabilir.
Bununla birlikte bu rapor, Nijerya'nın derin sularında balina köpekbalığının varlığını ve bu türün Nijerya ve komşu ülkelerdeki varlığını doğru bir şekilde belgelemek için uyumlu ve özel bir araştırmaya duyulan ihtiyacı doğrulamaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Nijerya
• Fitoplankton
• Rhincodon typus
• Balina köpekbalığı
• Zooplankton

Kaynakça

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