Presence and abundance of the whale shark "Rhincodon typus" (Mexico) and its relationship with the concentration of chlorophyll A and sea surface temperature between 2008 and 2017

Abstract

The whale shark Rhincodon typus is a highly migratory species that is characterized by a wide distribution covering tropical and temperate regions between 30 ° N and 35 ° S. Mexico is known for having the most aggregations worldwide. In the Gulf of California these aggregations are found in Bahía San Luis Gonzaga, Bahía de los Ángeles, Bahía de la Paz, San Blas, Banco Gorda and Espiritu Santo Island. Its distribution and abundance are influenced by oceanographic processes such as local outcrops, coastal currents and frontal zones, relating them to areas of high biological productivity. In this study, the abundance of whale shark in bahía de los Angeles was determined over the years 2008- 2017 The relative abundance of Rhincodon typus varied markedly seasonally and interannually in the region, with maximum concentrations recorded in 2014 and 2015, with values higher than 20 individuals. A significant and positive correlation was found between the surface temperature and the relative abundance of this shark. However, no direct relationship was observed between the occurrence of this species and chlorophyll concentrations.