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

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.虎鲸（Orcinus orca）是广布性顶级捕食者，可与包括鲨类、鳐类和魟类（板鳃亚纲Elasmobranchii）在内的众多物种产生互动。虎鲸与板鳃类的互动已引起科学界关注，但此类事件的动态过程却鲜为人知，因为互动场景往往难以观测。本研究通过整理虎鲸与板鳃类互动的影像资料，构建了首个基于影像的海洋捕食者种间互动数据库。研究从12个国家收集了共计320份影像资料，涵盖82次独立互动事件。经影像识别，至少涵盖16个属的18种板鳃类物种。此外，研究共记录了10种互动类型，涵盖捕食与非捕食两类行为。本数据集可为多项研究主题提供参考，包括虎鲸捕食策略、板鳃类行为，以及针对以板鳃类为特化猎物的个体虎鲸的识别研究。作为全新的开放共享资源，本数据集为未来开展虎鲸与板鳃类互动的生态学及行为学研究奠定了基础。