Articles

Implications of tag positioning and performance on the analysis of cetacean movement

Satellite-linked animal-borne tags enable the study of free-ranging marine mammals. These tags can only transmit data while their antenna is above the surface for a sufficient amount of time. Thus, the positio...

Authors: Evert Mul, Marie-Anne Blanchet, Martin Biuw and Audun Rikardsen

Habitat selection by American beaver at multiple spatial scales

Semiaquatic mammals require both aquatic and terrestrial habitats, particularly interfaces between the two habitats. As ecosystem engineers, American beaver (Castor canadensis) consume and fell a great amount of ...

Authors: Guiming Wang, Lance F. McClintic and Jimmy D. Taylor

A field evaluation of the growth and survival of age-0 Oncorhynchus mykiss tagged with 8-mm passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags

In fish tagging studies, tag size limits the size of fish that can be tagged, the fraction of a population that can be represented, and ultimately inferences that can be made about the study population, partic...

Authors: Kenneth F. Tiffan, Ian G. Jezorek and Russell W. Perry

The Wolff–Chaikoff effect ameliorates heat stress in rats

The thyroid gland contributes immensely to the basal metabolic rate, and hence, thermogenesis in mammals. Its response to the thermal environment is, however, slow and may require several days to adjust. A rap...

Authors: Hosam J. Al-Tamimi, Amani Al-Dawood and Zainab Mahasneh

Automated peak detection method for behavioral event identification: detecting Balaenoptera musculus and Grampus griseus feeding attempts

The desire of animal behaviorists for more flexible methods of conducting inter-study and inter-specific comparisons and meta-analysis of various animal behaviors compelled us to design an automated, animal be...

Authors: David A. Sweeney, Stacy L. DeRuiter, Ye Joo McNamara-Oh, Tiago A. Marques, Patricia Arranz and John Calambokidis

The Gain Reduction Method for manual tracking of radio-tagged fish in streams

Manual tracking has been used since the 1970s as an effective radio telemetry approach for evaluating habitat use of fish in fluvial systems. Radio tags are often located by continually reducing the gain when ...

Authors: Brittany G. Sullivan, Shannon H. Clarke, Daniel P. Struthers, Mark K. Taylor and Steven J. Cooke

Mind the gap—optimizing satellite tag settings for time series analysis of foraging dives in Cuvier’s beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris)

Studies of deep-diving beaked whales using Argos satellite-linked location-depth tags frequently return data with large gaps in the diving record. We document the steps taken to eliminate these data gaps and c...

Authors: Nicola J. Quick, William R. Cioffi, Jeanne Shearer and Andrew J. Read

Improving emergence location estimates for Argos pop-up transmitters

Recent advances in satellite tagging technologies for marine animals have provided opportunities to investigate the spatial ecology of pelagic species including at-sea behavior and predator–prey interactions. ...

Authors: Casey L. Brown, Markus Horning and Amanda M. Bishop

Inner space: translating advances in human medicine to minimise the invasiveness of marine tagging procedures

Surgical implantation of transmitters and data loggers into wild fish is commonplace among studies of their behaviour and ecology. Nonetheless, concerns remain regarding the procedures required for implantatio...

Authors: Ela Patel, James Lea and Christopher Clarke

The need for aquatic tracking networks: the Permanent Belgian Acoustic Receiver Network

Aquatic biotelemetry techniques have proven to be valuable tools to generate knowledge on species behaviour, gather oceanographic data and help in assessing effects from anthropogenic disturbances. These data ...

Authors: Jan Reubens, Pieterjan Verhelst, Inge van der Knaap, Benny Wydooghe, Tanja Milotic, Klaas Deneudt, Francisco Hernandez and Ine Pauwels

Potential detection of illegal fishing by passive acoustic telemetry

Acoustic tagging is typically used to gather data on the spatial ecology of diverse marine taxa, informing questions about spatio-temporal attributes such as residency and home range, but detection data may al...

Authors: David M. Tickler, Aaron B. Carlisle, Taylor K. Chapple, David J. Curnick, Jonathan J. Dale, Robert J. Schallert and Barbara A. Block

Evaluating outcomes of long-term satellite tag attachment on leatherback sea turtles

Attachment methods for satellite tags deployed on marine animals must optimize data collection and minimize potential adverse effects on the study subjects. The smooth, oily carapace of the leatherback turtle ...

Authors: Kayla M. Hamelin and Michael C. James

A standardised framework for analysing animal detections from automated tracking arrays

Over the past 15 years, the integration of localised passive telemetry networks into centralised data repositories has greatly enhanced our ability to monitor the presence and movements of highly mobile and mi...

Authors: Vinay Udyawer, Ross G. Dwyer, Xavier Hoenner, Russell C. Babcock, Stephanie Brodie, Hamish A. Campbell, Robert G. Harcourt, Charlie Huveneers, Fabrice R. A. Jaine, Colin A. Simpfendorfer, Matthew D. Taylor and Michelle R. Heupel

Detection efficiency of acoustic biotelemetry sensors on Wave Gliders

Detecting tagged animals in coastal environments is often limited to stationary arrays of acoustic receivers that can decode transmissions from tags on animals. However, mobile autonomous platforms are becomin...

Authors: Megan Cimino, Michael Cassen, Sophia Merrifield and Eric Terrill

Autumn migration and wintering site of a wood warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix breeding in Denmark identified using geolocation

Basic knowledge of detailed spatiotemporal migration patterns is lacking for most migratory bird species. Using the smallest available geolocator, we aim to map autumn migration and wintering areas of north Eu...

Authors: Anders P. Tøttrup, Lykke Pedersen and Kasper Thorup

Assessing the utility and limitations of accelerometers and machine learning approaches in classifying behaviour during lactation in a phocid seal

Classifying behaviour with animal-borne accelerometers is quickly becoming a popular tool for remotely observing behavioural states in a variety of species. Most accelerometry work in pinnipeds has focused on ...

Authors: Courtney R. Shuert, Patrick P. Pomeroy and Sean D. Twiss

Development and utilization of implantable cardiac monitors in free-ranging American black and Eurasian brown bears: system evolution and lessons learned

Biologgers can be used to monitor both human and animal physiology and behaviors, activity patterns, and/or environmental stressors. Monitoring of heart rates and rhythms, respiratory patterns, and activity in...

Authors: Timothy G. Laske, Alina L. Evans, Jon M. Arnemo, Tinen L. Iles, Mark A. Ditmer, Ole Fröbert, David L. Garshelis and Paul A. Iaizzo

A review of acoustic telemetry in Europe and the need for a regional aquatic telemetry network

Globally, there are a large and growing number of researchers using biotelemetry as a tool to study aquatic animals. In Europe, this community lacks a formal network structure. The aim of this study is to revi...

Authors: David Abecasis, Andre Steckenreuter, Jan Reubens, Kim Aarestrup, Josep Alós, Fabio Badalamenti, Lenore Bajona, Patrick Boylan, Klaas Deneudt, Larry Greenberg, Niels Brevé, Francisco Hernández, Nick Humphries, Carl Meyer, David Sims, Eva B. Thorstad…

Sea turtles and survivability in demersal trawl fisheries: Do comatose olive ridley sea turtles survive post-release?

Incidental capture of air-breathing species in fishing gear is a major source of mortality for many threatened populations. Even when individuals are discarded alive, they may not survive due to direct injury,...

Authors: Sara M. Maxwell, Matthew J. Witt, Gaspard Abitsi, Marie Pierre Aboro, Pierre Didier Agamboue, Georges Mba Asseko, François Boussamba, Emmanuel Chartrain, Micheline Schummer Gnandji, Brice Didier Koumba Mabert, Felicien Mavoungou Makanga, Jean Churley Manfoumbi, Jean Noel Bibang Bi Nguema, Jacob Nzegoue, Carmen Karen Kouerey Oliwina, Guy-Philippe Sounguet…

Characterizing activity and assessing bycatch survival of Pacific halibut with accelerometer Pop-up Satellite Archival Tags

Pacific halibut support high-value commercial and sport fisheries in the north Pacific Ocean, making survival of Pacific halibut bycatch in trawl fisheries an important management concern. We present a method ...

Authors: Julie K. Nielsen, Craig S. Rose, Timothy Loher, Paige Drobny, Andrew C. Seitz, Michael B. Courtney and John Gauvin

Correction to: Revealing the full ocean migration of individual Atlantic salmon

In the online version of the original publication [1], there is an error in the caption of figure 8. The correct version can be found below.

Authors: John Fredrik Strøm, Eva Bonsak Thorstad, Richard David Hedger and Audun Håvard Rikardsen

Movement patterns of a commercially important, free-ranging marine invertebrate in the vicinity of a bait source

Catch per unit effort is a cost-effective index of abundance and fishing effort, and an integral part of many fisheries stock assessments. Trap fisheries data are often generated using non-standardised methodo...

Authors: Kirsty J. Lees, Aileen C. Mill, Daniel J. Skerritt, Peter A. Robertson and Clare Fitzsimmons

Effects of harness-attached tracking devices on survival, migration, and reproduction in three species of migratory waterfowl

Tracking devices have enabled researchers to study unique aspects of behavior in birds. However, it has become clear that attaching these devices to birds often affects their survival and behavior. While most ...

Authors: Thomas K. Lameris, Gerhard J. D. M. Müskens, Andrea Kölzsch, Adriaan M. Dokter, Henk P. Van der Jeugd and Bart A. Nolet

Passive kHz lidar for the quantification of insect activity and dispersal

In recent years, our group has developed electro-optical remote sensing methods for the monitoring and classification of aerofauna. These methods include active lidar methods and passive, so-called dark-field ...

Authors: Samuel Jansson and Mikkel Brydegaard

Joining the dots: reconstructing 3D environments and movement paths using animal-borne devices

Animal-attached sensors are increasingly used to provide insights on behaviour and physiology. However, such tags usually lack information on the structure of the surrounding environment from the perspective o...

Authors: David W. McClune

Correction to: Interpreting vertical movement behavior with holistic examination of depth distribution: a novel method reveals cryptic diel activity patterns of Chinook salmon in the Salish Sea

In the original publication [1], there is an error in Eq. 3b. The correct version can be found below.

Authors: M. C. Arostegui, T. E. Essington and T. P. Quinn

Long-term PIT tag retention rates in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

Passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags are widely used in studies of various aspects of fish survival, movement and behaviour. Quality of such studies depends on the fish retaining the tags over the study p...

Authors: Anders Foldvik and Eli Kvingedal

Revealing the full ocean migration of individual Atlantic salmon

Knowledge of the complete horizontal migration and vertical movements of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) during the marine phase is important for understanding the link between individual processes and populatio...

Authors: John Fredrik Strøm, Eva Bonsak Thorstad, Richard David Hedger and Audun Håvard Rikardsen

Evaluating GPS biologging technology for studying spatial ecology of large constricting snakes

GPS telemetry has revolutionized the study of animal spatial ecology in the last two decades. Until recently, it has mainly been deployed on large mammals and birds, but the technology is rapidly becoming mini...

Authors: Brian J. Smith, Kristen M. Hart, Frank J. Mazzotti, Mathieu Basille and Christina M. Romagosa

Performance of a low-cost, solar-powered pop-up satellite archival tag for assessing post-release mortality of Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) caught in the US east coast light-tackle recreational fishery

Pop-up satellite archival tags (PSATs) are a valuable tool for estimating mortality of pelagic fishes released from commercial and recreational fishing gears. However, the high cost of PSATs limits sample size...

Authors: William M. Goldsmith, Andrew M. Scheld and John E. Graves

Double tagging clarifies post-release fate of great hammerheads (Sphyrna mokarran)

Biotelemetry applications have advanced our understanding of many highly migratory species, but present a challenge for species that suffer high capture and/or post-release stress. Failing to accurately charac...

Authors: J. Marcus Drymon and R. J. David Wells

A test of the detection range of acoustic transmitters and receivers deployed in deep waters of Southeast Alaska, USA

Movement data represent important inputs to both numerical and conceptual models that contribute to the assessment and management of sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) and Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) in...

Authors: Timothy Loher, Raymond A. Webster and David Carlile

Residency and long-distance movements of sevengill sharks (Notorhynchus cepedianus) tagged in San Francisco Bay

Sevengill sharks are common inhabitants of estuaries and coastal areas and particularly abundant in San Francisco Bay (SFB). There is limited knowledge about the level of residency and migratory movements of t...

Authors: James T. Ketchum, Christina J. Slager, Michele L. Buckhorn, Andrew P. Nosal and A. Peter Klimley

Animal-borne behaviour classification for sheep (Dohne Merino) and Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum and Diceros bicornis)

The ability to study animal behaviour is important in many fields of science, including biology, behavioural ecology and conservation. Behavioural information is usually obtained by attaching an electronic tag...

Authors: Solomon Petrus le Roux, Jacques Marias, Riaan Wolhuter and Thomas Niesler

Reduction in adverse effects of tracking devices on waterfowl requires better measuring and reporting

Since the first studies in the mid-twentieth century, lightweight electronic tracking devices have been increasingly used to study waterfowl movements. With half a century of experience and growing sample size...

Authors: Thomas K. Lameris and Erik Kleyheeg

Behavior of satellite-tracked Antarctic minke whales (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) in relation to environmental factors around the western Antarctic Peninsula

The Antarctic minke whale (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) is a relatively small baleen whale species and is well suited to life in the Antarctic pack ice. Information on their individual movement and distribution pat...

Authors: Jessica F. Lee, Ari S. Friedlaender, Matthew J. Oliver and Tracy L. DeLiberty

Real-time nodes permit adaptive management of endangered species of fishes

Currently acoustic tag-detecting autonomous receivers must be visited periodically to download the files of tag detections. Hence, the information about the whereabouts of tagged fishes is not available to mak...

Authors: A. Peter Klimley, Thomas V. Agosta, Arnold J. Ammann, Ryan D. Battleson, Matthew D. Pagel and Michael J. Thomas

Pop-up satellite archival tag (PSAT) temporal data resolution affects interpretations of spawning behaviour of a commercially important teleost

The effects of temporal data resolution on the interpretation of fish behaviours are questions fundamental to research programs using electronic tags with finite data storage and data transmission capacities. ...

Authors: Jonathan A. D. Fisher, Dominique Robert, Arnault Le Bris and Timothy Loher

Extensive use of mesopelagic waters by a Scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini) in the Red Sea

Despite being frequently landed in fish markets along the Saudi Arabian Red Sea coast, information regarding fundamental biology of the Scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini) in this region is scarce. Satell...

Authors: Julia L. Y. Spaet, Chi Hin Lam, Camrin D. Braun and Michael L. Berumen

The value of using measurements of geomagnetic field in addition to irradiance and sea surface temperature to estimate geolocations of tagged aquatic animals

In this commentary, we describe how geomagnetic intensity can be used to estimate latitude, discuss its strengths and weaknesses, and argue for its potential use along with irradiance measurements for estimati...

Authors: A. Peter Klimley, Marco Flagg, Neil Hammerschlag and Alex Hearn

Assessment of PIT tag retention and post-tagging survival in metamorphosing juvenile sea lamprey

Passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags have been used to document and monitor the movement, behavior, or survival of numerous species of fishes. Data on short- and long-term survival and tag retention are n...

Authors: Lee G. Simard, V. Alex Sotola, J. Ellen Marsden and Scott Miehls

Motes enhance data recovery from satellite-relayed biologgers and can facilitate collaborative research into marine habitat utilization

The fields of biologging and telemetry have triggered significant advances in the understanding of animal behavior, physiological ecology and habitat utilization. Biologging devices (“tags”) can also measure a...

Authors: Tiphaine Jeanniard-du-Dot, Kim Holland, Gregory S. Schorr and Danny Vo

Erratum to: Best practice recommendations for the use of fully implanted telemetry devices in pinnipeds

Authors: Markus Horning, Martin Haulena, Pamela A. Tuomi, Jo-Ann E. Mellish, Caroline E. Goertz, Kathleen Woodie, Rachel K. Berngartt, Shawn Johnson, Courtney R. Shuert, Kristen A. Walker, John P. Skinner and Peter L. Boveng

Estimating incision healing rate for surgically implanted acoustic transmitters from recaptured fish

Intracoelomic implantation of electronic tags has become a common method in fishery research, but rarely are fish examined by scientists after release to understand the extent that surgical incisions have heal...

Authors: Abby Schoonyan, Richard T. Kraus, Matthew D. Faust, Christopher S. Vandergoot, Steven J. Cooke, H. Andrew Cook, Todd A. Hayden and Charles C. Krueger

Factors affecting detection efficiency of mobile telemetry Slocum gliders

Acoustic biotelemetry sensors have been fully integrated into a broad range of mobile autonomous platforms; however, estimates of detection efficiency in different environmental conditions are rare. Here, we e...

Authors: Matthew J. Oliver, Matthew W. Breece, Danielle E. Haulsee, Megan A. Cimino, Josh Kohut, David Aragon and Dewayne A. Fox

Best practice recommendations for the use of fully implanted telemetry devices in pinnipeds

Electronic telemetry devices have enabled many novel and important data collection and experimental opportunities for difficult to observe species. Externally attached devices have limited retention and may af...

Authors: Markus Horning, Martin Haulena, Pamela A. Tuomi, Jo-Ann E. Mellish, Caroline E. Goertz, Kathleen Woodie, Rachel K. Berngartt, Shawn Johnson, Courtney R. Shuert, Kristen A. Walker, John P. Skinner and Peter L. Boveng

Development of a method for classifying and transmitting high-resolution feeding behavior of fish using an acceleration pinger

Monitoring the feeding behavior of animals in the wild is key to understanding their energetics and the influence of the environment on their survival. Recently, a novel acceleration transmitter that processes...

Authors: J. Horie, H. Mitamura, Y. Ina, Y. Mashino, T. Noda, K. Moriya, N. Arai and T. Sasakura

Use of time-depth recorders to determine fishing depth of commercial setnets and inform management in Cook Inlet, Alaska

Access to harvestable surpluses of sockeye salmon is often limited by incidental harvest of Chinook salmon in the mixed-species gillnet fishery of Cook Inlet, Alaska, particularly in years of low Chinook abund...

Authors: David W. Welch, Aswea D. Porter and Paul Winchell

Remote monitoring of vigilance behavior in large herbivores using acceleration data

Biotelemetry offers an increasing set of tools to monitor animals. Acceleration sensors in particular can provide remote observations of animal behavior at high temporal resolution. While recent studies have d...

Authors: Max Kröschel, Björn Reineking, Felicitas Werwie, Felix Wildi and Ilse Storch

Performance and retention of lightweight satellite radio tags applied to the ears of polar bears (Ursus maritimus)

Satellite telemetry studies provide information that is critical to the conservation and management of species affected by ecological change. Here we report on the performance and retention of two types (SPOT-...

Authors: Øystein Wiig, Erik W. Born, Kristin L. Laidre, Rune Dietz, Mikkel Villum Jensen, George M. Durner, Anthony M. Pagano, Eric Regehr, Michelle St. Martin, Stephen Atkinson and Markus Dyck