Life after death: behaviour of multiple shark species scavenging a whale carcass

Summary: This unique study documents the scavenging behaviour of multiple shark species
attracted to a drifting whale carcass in the Indian Ocean. Using a combination of visual
surveys and remote video systems, the researchers captured interspecies interactions and
temporal changes in feeding activity. The study reveals insights into energy transfer through
opportunistic feeding in pelagic systems and contributes to understanding how apex predators
exploit large, ephemeral food resources. The findings highlight the ecological importance of
carcass provisioning events in shaping predator community dynamics.

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