Megamouth Shark [Megachasma]

Description

Megachasma is the sole genus within the family Megachasmidae, represented by its single species, the Megamouth Shark (Megachasma pelagios). This rare and elusive species is distinguished by its large, gaping mouth, which it uses to filter plankton from the water. It has a broad, rounded head, small pectoral fins, and a long, white-tipped caudal (tail) fin. The body is predominantly grey or black with a white underbelly. Megamouth sharks are deep-water pelagic species, typically found in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. They are known for their infrequent appearances near the surface, mostly during nighttime, suggesting a vertical migration pattern likely tied to feeding on deep-sea plankton and jellyfish. Megamouth sharks are one of the three extant filter-feeding sharks, alongside the whale shark and the basking shark, but are the least understood due to their rarity and deep-water habitat.

Species

Taxonomy