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A comparison of external and internal attachments of radio transmitters on adult crested newts Triturus cristatus

In: Amphibia-Reptilia
Authors:
Børre Dervo Norwegian Institute of Nature Research, Human Dimension Department, Fakkelgården, NO-2624 Lillehammer, Norway

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Jon Skei Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Department of Biology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Museum of Natural History and Archaeology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway;, Email: krisskei@online.no

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Ole Berg Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Department of Biology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway

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Morten Kraabøl Norwegian Institute of Nature Research, Human Dimension Department, Fakkelgården, NO-2624 Lillehammer, Norway, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Museum of Natural History and Archaeology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway

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Jon Arnemo Faculty of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Hedmark University College, Campus Evenstad, NO-2418 Elverum, Norway, Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Faculty of Forest Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-901 83 Umeå, Sweden

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Dag Dolmen Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Museum of Natural History and Archaeology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway

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Online Publication Date:
01 Jan 2010
Full Access

Abstract

Telemetry studies of newt species demand small transmitters. Two types of external attachments (sutured to epidermis and backpack) and traditional implanting in the peritoneal cavity were tested between groups of 5 adult individuals of the crested newt Triturus cristatus (mass 6-15 g) held in terrariums under controlled environmental conditions. The newts were anaesthetized with 1.5 g l–1 MS222, delivered in water and buffered to pH 6.9 by Na2CO2. Surgical plane of anaesthesia was achieved after 5-12 minutes and lasted for 30-60 minutes. External tagging proved unsuitable because transmitters became entangled in vegetation, and all animals shed their transmitters shortly after tagging, except for one that died. Transmitters that were surgically implanted in the peritoneal cavity were more successful. By the fourth day following surgery, the animals that had undergone surgery behaved similarly to control animals with respect to the use of cover. Two of the newts died, however, without showing any signs of illness in advance, and the cause of death could not be established. Based on the present experiments and published studies, implantable transmitters appear to be the best method for radiotagging small and medium sized urodele species such as T. cristatus, to gain crucial information on spatio-temporal terrestrial activity patterns, habitat utilization and hibernation sites. Additional research is needed to evaluate both short and long term effects on activity, behaviour and survival.

Title:
A comparison of external and internal attachments of radio transmitters on adult crested newts Triturus cristatus
Article Type:
Research Article
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1163/156853810791069128
Language:
English
Pages:
229–237
Keywords:
TRANSMITTER ATTACHMENT; TELEMETRY; AMPHIBIA; ANAESTHESIA; CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
In:
Amphibia-Reptilia
In:
Volume 31: Issue 2
Publisher:
Brill
E-ISSN:
1568-5381
Print ISSN:
0173-5373
Subjects:
Biology & Environmental Sciences, Biology

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