Retention and loss of PIT tags and surgically implanted devices in the Eurasian beaver.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Passive integrated transponder devices (PIT tags) are a valuable tool for individual identification of animals. Similarly, the surgical implantation of transmitters and bio-loggers can provide useful data on animal location, physiology and behavior. However, to avoid unnecessary recapture and related stress of study animals, PIT tags and bio-loggers should function reliably for long periods of time. Here, we evaluated the retention of PIT tags, and of very high frequency (VHF) transmitters and bio-loggers that were either implanted subcutaneously or into the peritoneal cavity of Eurasian beavers (Castor fiber).

Results

Over a 21-year period, we implanted PIT tags in 456 individuals and failed to detect a PIT tag at recapture in 30 cases, consisting of 26 individua

SUBMITTER: Mayer M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9188177 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature