Symbiotic Siphonostomatoida (Copepoda) collected from white sharks, Carcharodon carcharias (Lamniformes, Lamnidae), during the OCEARCH expedition along the coast of South Africa

Abstract

OCEARCH is a recognized world leader in generating important scientific data about shark species in an attempt to address the globally limited understanding of such species. These species include, amongst others, the IUCN vulnerable white sharks. During the expeditions, sharks are caught, restrained, and supplied with water to assure the flow of oxygen while data are collected within 15 min, whereafter the shark is released unharmed. Within the period from March through May 2012, such an expedition took place along the south and west coasts of South Africa. As part of this expedition copepods were collected from the external surfaces of the captured sharks. They were fixed and preserved in 70% ethanol and examined using microscopes. The copepods recovered represented seven species with the majority of individuals assigned to the Pandaridae and Dichelesthiidae, while only two specimens representing Caligidae.