The current accepted genus is Rhincodon. Our literature search was terminated in October 1980. A summary and evaluation of the references listed, accompanied by charts of the geographical and temporal distribution of the whale shark, is in preparation. Entries are listed in alphabetical order and numbered. The number of the referring source or sources follows.
Any further information is indicated by annotation.
The type of treatment and the material covered are designated by one or more category, which follow the entry. The categories and their meanings are listed below. Searching with OR between words retrieves citations with any one of the words. Searching with AND between words retrieves citations containing both terms. Words are searched from left to right.