A comparison of three external transmitter attachment methods for snakes
ABSTRACT Radiotelemetry is a widely used and informative tool in studies of animal ecology, behavior, and conservation. Over the past 50 years, many different methods have been used to outfit animals with radiotransmitters. Radiotelemetry studies on snakes typically require anesthesia and surgery to...
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| Format: | Article |
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Wiley
2017-03-01
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| Series: | Wildlife Society Bulletin |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.748 |
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| author | Julia L. Riley James H. Baxter‐Gilbert Jacqueline D. Litzgus |
| author_facet | Julia L. Riley James H. Baxter‐Gilbert Jacqueline D. Litzgus |
| author_sort | Julia L. Riley |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ABSTRACT Radiotelemetry is a widely used and informative tool in studies of animal ecology, behavior, and conservation. Over the past 50 years, many different methods have been used to outfit animals with radiotransmitters. Radiotelemetry studies on snakes typically require anesthesia and surgery to internally implant transmitters; however, internal implantation methods can increase snake mortality and infection rates, and may alter natural behaviors, thereby reducing data validity. We qualitatively compared 3 methods of external transmitter attachment (i.e., glue‐only, tape‐and‐glue, and a subdermal stitch), and compared their utility for collection of spatial data from April to November 2012 and 2013 at Magnetawan First Nation near Britt, Ontario, Canada. Transmitters attached with glue‐only and tape‐and‐glue methods fell off shortly after deployment because of environmental factors and snake shedding. Both methods also resulted in skin irritation and slightly impeded snake movements. Conversely, the subdermal stitch method was long lasting in both the field and lab, and did not cause significant skin irritation. Also, the subdermal stitch method did not affect movement or the rattlesnake's ability to rattle. Additional quantitative research is required to determine if the subdermal stitch method triggers immune responses, infections, or negatively affects snake fitness. Our results suggest that the subdermal stitch method may be a viable external attachment method for use in radiotelemetry of snakes. © 2017 The Wildlife Society. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1f27f607196d4b60a8fdbe786031c2e9 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2328-5540 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2017-03-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Wildlife Society Bulletin |
| spelling | doaj-art-1f27f607196d4b60a8fdbe786031c2e92024-12-16T12:50:43ZengWileyWildlife Society Bulletin2328-55402017-03-0141113213910.1002/wsb.748A comparison of three external transmitter attachment methods for snakesJulia L. Riley0James H. Baxter‐Gilbert1Jacqueline D. Litzgus2Magnetawan First Nation10 Ontario‐529BrittONP0G 1A0CanadaDepartment of BiologyLaurentian University935 Ramsey Lake RoadSudburyONP3E 2C6CanadaDepartment of BiologyLaurentian University935 Ramsey Lake RoadSudburyONP3E 2C6CanadaABSTRACT Radiotelemetry is a widely used and informative tool in studies of animal ecology, behavior, and conservation. Over the past 50 years, many different methods have been used to outfit animals with radiotransmitters. Radiotelemetry studies on snakes typically require anesthesia and surgery to internally implant transmitters; however, internal implantation methods can increase snake mortality and infection rates, and may alter natural behaviors, thereby reducing data validity. We qualitatively compared 3 methods of external transmitter attachment (i.e., glue‐only, tape‐and‐glue, and a subdermal stitch), and compared their utility for collection of spatial data from April to November 2012 and 2013 at Magnetawan First Nation near Britt, Ontario, Canada. Transmitters attached with glue‐only and tape‐and‐glue methods fell off shortly after deployment because of environmental factors and snake shedding. Both methods also resulted in skin irritation and slightly impeded snake movements. Conversely, the subdermal stitch method was long lasting in both the field and lab, and did not cause significant skin irritation. Also, the subdermal stitch method did not affect movement or the rattlesnake's ability to rattle. Additional quantitative research is required to determine if the subdermal stitch method triggers immune responses, infections, or negatively affects snake fitness. Our results suggest that the subdermal stitch method may be a viable external attachment method for use in radiotelemetry of snakes. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.748conservationPantherophis guttatusradiotaggingradiotelemetrySistrurus catenatuswildlife management |
| spellingShingle | Julia L. Riley James H. Baxter‐Gilbert Jacqueline D. Litzgus A comparison of three external transmitter attachment methods for snakes Wildlife Society Bulletin conservation Pantherophis guttatus radiotagging radiotelemetry Sistrurus catenatus wildlife management |
| title | A comparison of three external transmitter attachment methods for snakes |
| title_full | A comparison of three external transmitter attachment methods for snakes |
| title_fullStr | A comparison of three external transmitter attachment methods for snakes |
| title_full_unstemmed | A comparison of three external transmitter attachment methods for snakes |
| title_short | A comparison of three external transmitter attachment methods for snakes |
| title_sort | comparison of three external transmitter attachment methods for snakes |
| topic | conservation Pantherophis guttatus radiotagging radiotelemetry Sistrurus catenatus wildlife management |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/wsb.748 |
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