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Best practice recommendations for the use of fully implanted telemetry devices in pinnipeds Horning, Markus; Haulena, Martin; Tuomi, Pamela A; Mellish, Jo-Ann E; Goertz, Caroline E; Woodie, Kathleen; Berngartt, Rachel K; Johnson, Shawn; Shuert, Courtney R; Walker, Kristen A; Skinner, John P; Boveng, Peter L

Abstract

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 affect thermoregulation, energetics, social and reproductive behavior, visibility, predation risk and entanglement. Internally placed, surgically implanted devices can mitigate some of these effects and may open additional experimental opportunities. However, improper implementation can significantly affect animals and data. From a review of recent studies using fully implanted tags and studying their effects, we present 15 specific best practice recommendations for the use of such tags in pinnipeds. Recommendations address issues including device size, coating and sterilization, implantation surgery and effect assessment, within the framework of the Three R’s: Reduction, Refinement, Replacement. While developed for pinnipeds, these recommendations could apply to other aquatic mammals and vertebrates and to partially implanted or even external tags.

Item Metadata

Title
Best practice recommendations for the use of fully implanted telemetry devices in pinnipeds
Creator
Horning, Markus; Haulena, Martin; Tuomi, Pamela A; Mellish, Jo-Ann E; Goertz, Caroline E; Woodie, Kathleen; Berngartt, Rachel K; Johnson, Shawn; Shuert, Courtney R; Walker, Kristen A; Skinner, John P; Boveng, Peter L
Publisher
BioMed Central
Date Issued
2017-06-08
Description
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 affect thermoregulation, energetics, social and reproductive behavior, visibility, predation risk and entanglement. Internally placed, surgically implanted devices can mitigate some of these effects and may open additional experimental opportunities. However, improper implementation can significantly affect animals and data. From a review of recent studies using fully implanted tags and studying their effects, we present 15 specific best practice recommendations for the use of such tags in pinnipeds. Recommendations address issues including device size, coating and sterilization, implantation surgery and effect assessment, within the framework of the Three R’s: Reduction, Refinement, Replacement. While developed for pinnipeds, these recommendations could apply to other aquatic mammals and vertebrates and to partially implanted or even external tags.
Subject
Biotelemetry; Implant; Subcutaneous; Intraperitoneal; Marine mammal; Surgery; Reduction; Refinement; Replacement
Genre
Article
Type
Text
Language
eng
Date Available
2017-06-12
Provider
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
Rights
Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
DOI
10.14288/1.0348229
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/2429/61930
Affiliation
Land and Food Systems, Faculty of; Non UBC
Citation
Animal Biotelemetry. 2017 Jun 08;5(1):13
Publisher DOI
10.1186/s40317-017-0128-9
Peer Review Status
Reviewed
Scholarly Level
Faculty
Copyright Holder
The Author(s)
Rights URI
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
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DSpace

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Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)