A SPECIMEN OF MEGAMOUTH SHARK, MEGACHASMA PELAGIOS (MEGACHASMIDAE) FROM WESTERN AUSTRALIA

WA Museum Records and Supplements | Updated 1 decade ago

Introduction: On 18 August 1988 the Fisheries Inspector at Mandurah contacted the second authority report that a large, strange-looking sharklike beast had washed ashore near the entrance to Mandurah estuary (32°31'S, 115°43'E). Upon inspection two hours later, the identification as Megachasma pelagios Taylor, Compagno, and Struhsaker 1983 was confirmed (Figure I), this being the third known specimen of the species, and the first from the Indian Ocean. Surfboard riders reported sighting the shark the previous day in shallow water. Believing it to be a small whale intent on beaching itself, they had tried to coax it into deeper water. However, the following morning it was stranded by a receding tide, and although still alive when found, died soon afterwards. The 5. 15 m long shark was transported to Perth, snap-frozen, and subsequently preserved in formalin, details of which are presented below.