Author: Taylor, Compagno & Struhsaker, 1983
FBname: Megamouth shark
Comments: Oceanic, possibly occurring in depths between 150 and 1,000 m (Ref. 6871).  Epi- and mesopelagic (Ref. 58302).  Feeds on planktivorous prey such as euphausiid shrimps, copepods and jellyfish (Ref. 6871).  May also eat small midwater fishes.  Ovoviviparous (Ref. 50449).  Possibly less active than the basking and whale sharks (Ref. 6871).  Its feeding habits and habitat suggest that it may be a rare catch in the future.  Ovoviviparous, embryos feeding on yolk sac and other ova produced by the mother (Ref. 50449).  Males mature by 400 cm (Ref. 6871).  A bright white band on the snout just above the upper jaw may play a role in feeding behavior or with recognition of individuals (Ref. 47761).  Preyed on by the semi-parasitic cookiecutter shark, <i>Isistius brasiliensis</i>.