A Day in the Life of a Whale Shark - Spatial Ecology and Seasonal Dynamics of Whale Sharks (Rhincodon typus) in the Gulf of Mexico

Document Type

Presentation

Date of Original Version

3-27-2026

Abstract

Behavioral and movement ecology studies seek to understand how animals allocate time to different behaviors in response to environmental conditions across heterogeneous environments. Whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) form predictable, seasonal coastal aggregations worldwide, with one of the largest being off Isla Mujeres, Yucatán, México. While their behavior at aggregation sites is well documented, far less is known about their movements and habitat use throughout the rest of the year. This study integrates marine ecology, satellite telemetry, and advanced data science approaches to describe the yearly movements and space use of whale sharks across the Gulf of Mexico (GoM), Caribbean Sea (CS), with some individuals traveling into the Atlantic Ocean. Using state-space and move-persistence models from 21 individuals, we quantified the spatial extent of post-aggregation movements. Predicted locations were most frequent in July and August, consistent with intense seasonal use of the Isla Mujeres aggregation site, and least frequent in October. Individuals traveled as far north as Massachusetts, USA, and as far south as the coastal and oceanic waters off French Guiana and Suriname. Kernel utilization distributions (KUDs) revealed that R. typus maintain a broad home range spanning the entire GoM, much of the CS, and portion of the Atlantic Ocean. Their core area (50% KUD) remained strongly centered around Isla Mujeres, with additional core-use regions emerging elsewhere in the GoM. Monthly patterns showed pronounced seasonality: core areas contracted around Isla Mujeres during June - August and expanded substantially during the rest of the year. Move persistence analyses further suggest that R. typus exhibit foraging-related behavior at Isla Mujeres in the summer and may rely on stopover areas during long-distance transiting movements throughout the year. Understanding these movement pathways is essential for evaluating the effectiveness of current protections for this endangered species and for anticipating how shifting environmental and anthropogenic pressures may alter their habitat use. By integrating ecological insight with advanced analytical tools, this work highlights new pathways for improving conservation strategies and contributes to a more informed, sustainable future for whale sharks across the region.

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