Researchers wondered whether the whale shark only filters food or only part of it.
It turned out that, unlike their smallerrelatives, whale sharks feed on plankton - heterogeneous underwater organisms, since they are filter feeders. This means that they pass water through themselves and strain it in search of eggs, crustaceans and small fish.
During the work, the authors compared the compositionamino acids and fatty acids of the shark body, as well as its feces with different types of food. It turned out that the shark can digest everything it eats, including plant foods. It is algae, especially brown algae Sargassum, that make up the main diet of the shark.
Marine biologist Mark Meekan says the evolution of the whale shark's digestion has made the species more adaptable, making it easier for it to find food without expending too much energy.
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