In-water observations highlight the effects of provisioning on whale shark behaviour at the world’s largest whale shark tourism destination
Cite this dataset
Legaspi, Christine; Araujo, Gonzalo (2020). In-water observations highlight the effects of provisioning on whale shark behaviour at the world’s largest whale shark tourism destination [Dataset]. Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.fn2z34tqs
Abstract
Methods
The dataset was collected using through dedicated focal follows (Altmann, 1974) between February 2015 and May 2017. Within each survey, an assigned researcher would follow the first shark randomly encountered within the study area and identify the individual using photo-identification. The researcher would gather observations of the shark's predominant behaviour, and as well as events and the individual's corresponding reactions. Tourist compliance to the local code of conduct was also recorded within each survey.
The data gathered was processed by fitting a binomial generalised linear mixed model (GLMM) using the R program to determine variables that influence whale shark behaviour.
Usage notes
The attached files include:
- FocalFollowSurveys_RSOS_Legaspi-2.xlsx: a copy of the data collected from the focal follow surveys
- GLMMcodes_RSOS_Legaspi.rtf: a copy the R-Script and the command codes used in R to analyse the dataset