Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
ABC News
ABC News
National

Ningaloo whale sharks found to stop swimming to have parasites plucked by researchers

Mark Meekan scratches a whale shark's mouth to take parasites for sampling. (Supplied: Violeta J Brosig, Blue Media Exmouth)

Marine scientists have formed a symbiotic relationship with whale sharks in the Ningaloo area in Western Australia as they exchange parasite removal for research data.

Usually remoras, otherwise known as suckerfish, would take care of parasitic crustaceans on whale sharks, but they can only do it for flat surfaces as opposed the mouth and leading edge of a shark's fins.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.