White band on upper jaw of megamouth shark, Megachasma pelagios, and its presumed function (Lamniformes: Megachasmidae)
2001
Nakaya, K. (Hokkaido Univ., Sapporo (Japan))
The white band on the upper jaw of the megamouth shark, Megachasma pelagios, was investigated in all fourteen specimens reported since its original description in 1983. The band was found to be present in all specimens, except for one that was discarded without any description or photographs, and thus it was concluded that this band is a species-specific character of the megamouth shark. The white band was redescribed based on two specimens at hand. Two possible functions of the white band were speculated. First, this band may have a luring or attracting function on planktonic prey under dark light conditions. The second possible function is as a sort of social signal to conspecifics or other species.
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