A global image-based data repository of killer whale interactions with elasmobranchs

Killer whales (Orcinus orca) are cosmopolitan apex predators that interact with numerous species, including sharks, skates, and rays (subclass Elasmobranchii). Interactions between killer whales and elasmobranchs have garnered attention from the scientific community, but the dynamics of these events are poorly understood, as interactions are often challenging to observe. In this study, we collated imagery of interactions between killer whales and elasmobranchs to create the first image-based repository of interspecific interactions between marine predators. A total of 320 photos and videos from 82 unique interactions were collected from 12 countries. A minimum of 18 elasmobranch species across 16 genera were identified from the imagery. Furthermore, 10 different interaction types were documented, encompassing both predatory and non-predatory behavior. This dataset can provide insight into various research topics, including killer whale predation techniques, elasmobranch behavior, and the identification of individual killer whales that specialize in elasmobranch prey. As a new and openly accessible resource, this dataset provides the foundation to support future ecological and behavioral research on killer whale and elasmobranch interactions.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Scientific Data
Published
2026-02-04
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-026-06740-3
Primary Topic
Ichthyology and Marine Biology
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

Funders

Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

A global image-based data repository of killer whale interactions with elasmobranchs

Arlaine Francisco, Aimee Jan, Hernán Orellana‐Vásquez, Emma Luck et al.
Scientific Data
Ichthyology and Marine Biology
article

A global image-based data repository of killer whale interactions with elasmobranchs

Arlaine Francisco, Aimee Jan, Hernán Orellana‐Vásquez, Emma Luck, Julio Cardoso, David Donnelly, Stephanie K. Venables, Alisa Schulman‐Janiger, Maeva Terrapon, Jochen R. Zaeschmar, Nancy A. Black, Machi Yoshida, Isabella Reeves, Colleen Marie Talty, C. I. Hussain, Éric Martin, Paul Tixier, Jennah Tucker, D. J. McDermott, James Moskito, Matt I. D. Carter, Lauren Meyer, Tara Weberg, Rosie Ballard, Jade Cantrall, Blair Ranford, Steve Truluck, Evans Baudin, Jade Sharp, Molly Altschwager, Alison V. Towner, Jesús Erick Higuera Rivas, Laura González García, Georgina Cabayol Ferraz, Daniela Alarcón Ruales, Oliver Clarke, Alison A. Kock, Santiago Diaz-Pazmino, John A. Totterdell, Rebecca Wellard, Evan Brodsky, Gemma Sharp, Jasmin O’Brien, M. Fernanda Urrutia-Osorio, Mark Jackman, Anton Oleynik
article en

Abstract

Killer whales (Orcinus orca) are cosmopolitan apex predators that interact with numerous species, including sharks, skates, and rays (subclass Elasmobranchii). Interactions between killer whales and elasmobranchs have garnered attention from the scientific community, but the dynamics of these events are poorly understood, as interactions are often challenging to observe. In this study, we collated imagery of interactions between killer whales and elasmobranchs to create the first image-based repository of interspecific interactions between marine predators. A total of 320 photos and videos from 82 unique interactions were collected from 12 countries. A minimum of 18 elasmobranch species across 16 genera were identified from the imagery. Furthermore, 10 different interaction types were documented, encompassing both predatory and non-predatory behavior. This dataset can provide insight into various research topics, including killer whale predation techniques, elasmobranch behavior, and the identification of individual killer whales that specialize in elasmobranch prey. As a new and openly accessible resource, this dataset provides the foundation to support future ecological and behavioral research on killer whale and elasmobranch interactions.

Scientific DataVol. 13(1)
Universidade dos Açores (PT), Edith Cowan University (AU), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR), The University of Sydney (AU), Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (US), Oregon State University (US), Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (US), Natural England (GB), Los Angeles County Museum of Art (US), South African National Parks (ZA), University of Alaska Fairbanks (US), University of Alaska Anchorage (US), Ifremer (FR), University of St Andrews (GB), Flinders University (AU), Université de Montpellier (FR), Curtin University (AU), Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (US), Thales (Australia) (AU), Ocean Institute (US), Independent Sector (US), South African Institute of International Affairs (ZA), Companhia Brasileira de Aluminio (BR), Marine Megafauna Foundation (US), Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur (MX), Scientific Services (ZA), Electricidade dos Açores (Portugal) (PT), Universidad Nacional de Loja (EC), Film Independent (US), Hebridean Seaweed (United Kingdom) (GB), Asociación Mexicana de Psicología y Desarrollo Comunitario (MX), ChemCentre (AU), Monterey Technologies (United States) (US), Marine Biodiversity Exploitation and Conservation (FR), Ocean Bay (United States) (US), Oldham Council (GB), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (FR), Universidad San Francisco de Quito (EC), South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (ZA), Western Oregon University (US)
Playford Trust, Australian Government
Life below water
Openalex Percentile: Top 76%
Ichthyology and Marine Biology
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.