The whale shark is one of the most endangered species in the world and, even so, there is much unknown about the animal. How is the mystery about his brood? A hypothesis gains strength.
The world of the oceans still holds many surprises for us. Despite the fact that scientific expeditions have proliferated in recent decades, the truth is that there are still many mysteries to which no solution has been found. Some of them have as protagonists the fish considered to be the largest in the world, the whale shark. This incredible animal stands out for its incredible size, but also for its way of moving or, of course, its body full of moles.
The list of animals in danger of extinction is becoming more extensive due, among other factors, to the footprint of the human being. The whale shark is no stranger to this and, in fact, it is speculated that its population has been reduced by up to 50% in the last decades. Even so, despite the studies carried out, a fundamental aspect of their lives is still unknown. How are the young of this gigantic animal born?
Due to its long life and, of course, the journey it takes around the world, it is very difficult to monitor a particular example. This has caused that it has not been possible to have knowledge about mating, laying eggs and, finally, their hatching. Even so, an event that occurred in 1995 served to understand a little more what the way in which this endangered species reproduces could be. Here are the keys to an episode that changed the way we understand these animals.
How a baby whale shark is born is still a mystery
The birth of a baby whale shark is something that has not been able to be filmed. In fact, scientists still cannot count on clear evidence about this critical moment for the survival of the species. According to information from Mashable, the key to the birth could be explained by what happened during a routine fishing day in the 1990s. The fishing of a female specimen that was pregnant could explain many doubts.
After fishing and bringing the specimen to port, it was dismembered. There it was possible to verify how up to 300 dead pups lay in the bosom of the animal. As might be expected, a specialized scientific team was called in to take samples. The results seem to support the hypothesis that the eggs hatch inside the whale shark for later exit outside the body. Even so, it was wanted to verify the common origin or not of the offspring, so tests were carried out at the genetic level.
The conclusions of the study showed that they all belonged to the same male specimen, which determined that all of them had remained inside their body during the gestation period. Now, how, having up to 300 specimens, can there be such a notable reduction in its population? several are the causes of the mass disappearance of members of this spectacular species.
Climate change may be a determining cause, since the temperature of the oceans is rising due to global warming. Even so, the most probable cause that is believed is directly related to the presence of human beings in the open sea. Because plankton are usually near the surface, many whale sharks are hit by ship hulls.
Related topics: Science
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