Advances in Fish Tagging and Marking Technology

<i>Abstract</i>.—The extent of intra- and inter-stream movements of two large galaxiids, banded kokopu <i>Galaxias fasciatus </i>and giant kokopu <i>Galaxias argenteus</i>, were monitored using a passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag system. In total, 103 banded kokopu and 51 giant kokopu were tagged in three small lowland streams. Within one stream, stationary recording antennae were installed at six locations, and fish movements were monitored for two years. Site fidelity was seen in less than 20% of both kokopu species, with around 40% of both banded and giant kokopu found to frequently undertake intra-stream movements to new cover locations. Movements ranged up to 1000 m for both species with seasonal patterns exhibited. In addition to local movements, inter-stream movements were also recorded in approximately 25% of giant kokopu and 5% of banded kokopu monitored. The extent of intra- and inter-stream movements exhibited by both species highlights the need to consider adult fish migrations in both stream restoration and fish passage design, to ensure upstream and downstream movements of adult galaxiids are unhindered.

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 2362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanz-Ronda ◽  
Bravo-Córdoba ◽  
Sánchez-Pérez ◽  
García-Vega ◽  
Valbuena-Castro ◽  
...  

Endemic freshwater fish from semiarid environments are among the most threated species in the world due to water overexploitation and habitat fragmentation problems. Stepped or pool-type fishways are used worldwide to reestablish longitudinal connectivity and mitigate fish migration problems. Many of them are being installed or planned in rivers of semiarid environments, however, very few studies about fish passage performance through pool-type fishways has been carried out to date on these regions. The present work focuses on the passage performance of two potamodromous cyprinids endemic of these regions, with different ecological and swimming behavior: southern Iberian barbel (Luciobarbus sclateri) and Iberian straight-mouth nase (Pseudochondrostoma polylepis). These are assessed in two of the most common types of stepped fishways: vertical slot and submerged notch with bottom orifice fishways. Experiments were carried out during the spawning season in the Segura River (southeastern Spain), using a passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag and antenna system. Ascent success was greater than 80%, with a median transit time lower than 17 minutes per meter of height in all trials, and for both species and fishway types. Results show that both types of fishways, if correctly designed and constructed, provide interesting alternatives for the restoration of fish migration pathways in these regions.


Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 1186
Author(s):  
Francisco Javier Bravo-Córdoba ◽  
Juan Francisco Fuentes-Pérez ◽  
Jorge Valbuena-Castro ◽  
Andrés Martínez de Azagra-Paredes ◽  
Francisco Javier Sanz-Ronda

With the aim of building more compact fishways and adapting them to field conditions to improve their location by fish, it is common to use turning pools, reducing the longitudinal development of the construction. However, depending on their design, turning pools may affect the hydraulic performance of the fishway and consequently the fish passage. To study these phenomena, turning pools in a vertical slot and in different configurations of submerged notches with bottom orifice fishway types were assessed. Both types of fishways were studied using numerical 3D models via OpenFOAM, a computational fluid dynamics software, in combination with fish responses, assessed with PIT (Passive Integrated Transponder) tag telemetry for three different species of potamodromous cyprinids in several fishways. Results show differences between the hydrodynamics of straight and turning pools, with lower values in the hydrodynamic variables in turning pools. Regarding fish behavior, the ascent was slower in turning pools but with no effect on passage success and without being a problem for fish migration. This information validates the use of turning pools as a key design component for fishways for studied species.


2012 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew R. Noatch ◽  
Cory D. Suski

Anthropogenic modifications to aquatic ecosystems have altered connecting pathways within, and in some cases, between watersheds. Human structures, such as hydroelectric facilities, often impede fish migrations and may inflict heavy mortality on fish that become impinged or entrained. Conversely, an increase in connectivity between two waterways (e.g., through the construction of shipping canals, increased boat traffic) often results in an elevated risk of invasive species introductions. Non-physical barriers, which obstruct fish from an undesirable location without influencing the waterway, are one management approach to protecting valuable fish stocks and deterring biological invasions. Because many methods of behavioral deterrence have been employed against fish, there is a need to summarize and compare existing and developing technologies. This review details the use and application of electrical, visual, acoustic, chemical, and hydrological deterrence techniques that may be used to prevent fish movements. Site requirements are discussed, and a critical assessment of benefits and limitations to each technique are given. Because no single method of fish deterrence is “one size fits all”, this review to non-physical fish barrier technology will benefit managers and researchers attempting to develop a best-fit strategy on a case-by-case basis.


2012 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grant M. Connette ◽  
Raymond D. Semlitsch

Context Passive integrated transponder (PIT) technology allows for permanent and unambiguous marking of animals and has recently been adapted for locating tagged individuals in the field with portable detection systems. Aims We seek to assess the effects of PIT tagging on the growth and survival of plethodontid salamanders in the laboratory and to evaluate the effectiveness of this method for subterranean detection of salamanders in the field. Methods In a laboratory experiment, we assigned 36 Plethodon shermani to either a PIT tag or control group and compared survival and growth rates over the course of 9 weeks. For the field study, we implanted six Plethodon metcalfi with PIT tags and conducted surveys so as to determine their below-ground positions with a portable detector. Key results We found no effect of PIT tagging on either growth or survival in the laboratory. In the field, PIT telemetry resulted in an overall detection efficiency of 44%, with nighttime surveys yielding a greater detection efficiency than daytime surveys. This technique provided a significant improvement over traditional hand-capture because detected salamanders were rarely visible on the ground surface. Key conclusions Our study indicates that even these relatively small-bodied salamanders (range: 2.14–5.18 g) are capable of bearing PIT tag implants and confirms the results of previous studies that found no effect of PIT tagging on the health or survival of amphibians. This study further demonstrates that the use of a portable PIT detector can be an effective method for locating below-ground salamanders. Implications Because of the small size and long lifespan of PIT tags, we believe portable PIT detectors can provide researchers with an unprecedented level of detail for studies of the movement behaviour, spatial ecology and management of species that are small or otherwise challenging to detect and monitor with other techniques.


2015 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kylie Soanes ◽  
Peter A. Vesk ◽  
Rodney van der Ree

Context Wildlife crossing structures are installed to mitigate the impacts of roads on animal populations, yet little is known about some aspects of their success. Many studies have monitored the use of structures by wildlife, but studies that also incorporate individual identification methods can offer additional insights into their effectiveness. Aims We monitored the use of wildlife crossing structures by arboreal marsupials along the Hume Freeway in south-eastern Australia to (1) determine the species using these structures and their frequency of crossing, (2) determine the number and demographic characteristics of individuals crossing, and (3) use the rate of crossing by individuals to infer the types of movement that occurred. Methods We used motion-triggered cameras to monitor five canopy bridges and 15 glider pole arrays installed at 13 sites along the Hume Freeway. The five canopy bridges were also monitored with passive integrated transponder (PIT)-tag readers to identify the rate of use by individuals. Key results Five species of arboreal marsupial were detected using canopy bridges and glider poles at 11 sites. Our analysis suggested that increasing the number and the distance between poles in a glider pole array reduced the rate of use by squirrel gliders. The PIT tag and camera footage revealed that the structures were used by adult males, adult females and juveniles, suggesting that all demographic groups are capable of using canopy bridges and glider poles. At two canopy bridges, multiple squirrel gliders and common brushtail possums crossed more than once per night. Conclusions Given that previous studies have shown that the freeway is a barrier to movement, and that many of the species detected crossing are subject to road mortality, we conclude that canopy bridges and glider poles benefit arboreal marsupials by providing safe access to resources that would otherwise be inaccessible. Implications Although the factors influencing crossing rate require further study, our analysis suggests that glider pole arrays with fewer poles placed closer together are likely to be more successful for squirrel gliders. The individual identification methods applied here offer insights that are not possible from measuring the rate of use alone and should be adopted in future monitoring studies.


2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 146-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric R. Britzke ◽  
Mark W. Gumbert ◽  
Matthew G. Hohmann

Abstract An increasingly popular mark–recapture method to study the ecology of bats is the use of passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags. Deployment of PIT reader arrays at entrances to caves and mines can yield insight into bat behavior during swarming, winter activity, and emergence. This application has the potential to address questions about bat activity at cave and mine entrances in response to white-nose syndrome or bat seasonal movements; however, no studies have examined the response of bats to these arrays. We describe bat response to placement of PIT tag reader arrays using camcorders and supplemental infrared illuminators at three cave entrances near Bloomington, Indiana, during spring 2006. A random subset of 5-min periods was viewed and bat behavior was classified. Circling represented &gt;70% of all behavior noted for two caves but only represented approximately 30% of behavior at the third cave. Proportions of observed activity that resulted in contacts or landings were consistently low across the three caves (x̄  =  1.34%; range 0.5–3.0%), with most contacts causing bats to simply change course and fly away. Based on our observations, positioning reader PIT tag reader arrays at cave entrances to passively recapture PIT tags does not limit bat movements. However, video monitoring during initial sampling efforts of future projects should be conducted to verify appropriate placement and configuration of PIT tag reader arrays. This research provides data illustrating the lack of significant impact in using PIT tag reader arrays at cave entrances, thereby opening up the potential use of this technology to address issues of bats ecology that cannot be obtained with other marking techniques.


Author(s):  
Francisco J. Sanz-Ronda ◽  
Francisco J. Bravo-Córdoba ◽  
Ana Sánchez-Pérez ◽  
Ana García-Vega ◽  
Jorge Valbuena-Castro ◽  
...  

Endemic freshwater fish from semiarid environments are among the most threated species in the world due to the water overexploitation and habitat fragmentation problems. Stepped or pool-type fishways are used worldwide to reestablish longitudinal connectivity and mitigate fish migration problems. Many of them are being installed or planned in rivers of semiarid environments, however, very few studies about fish passage performance through pool-type fishways has been carried out to date on these regions. The present work focuses on the passage performance of two potamodromous cyprinids endemic of these regions, with different ecological and swimming behavior: southern Iberian barbel (Luciobarbus sclateri) and Iberian straight-mouth nase (Pseudochondrostoma polylepis), in two of the most common types of stepped fishways: vertical slot and submerged notch with bottom orifice fishways. Experiments were carried out during the spawning season in the Segura River (South-Eastern Spain), using a PIT tag and antennas system. Ascent success was greater than 80%, with a median transit time lower than 17 minutes per meter of height in all trials and for both species and fishway types. Results show that both types of fishways, if correctly designed and built, provide interesting alternatives for the restoration of fish migration pathways on these regions.


2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 353-364 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Chris Musselman ◽  
Thomas A. Worthington ◽  
Joshua Mouser ◽  
Desiree M. Williams ◽  
Shannon K. Brewer

Abstract Although numerous studies have assessed retention and survival of passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags, data are scattered and information gaps remain for many diminutive fishes. Our study objectives were to 1) systematically review PIT tag studies and summarize retention, growth, and survival data for warmwater fishes; and 2) conduct a laboratory study to evaluate the retention, survival, and growth effects of intracoelomic-placed, half duplex PIT tags on six small-bodied species common to warmwater streams. Our systematic review suggested small sample sizes were common within PIT tag retention and survival studies (39% with n ≤ 20) and that many experiments (15%, 14 of 97) failed to use control fish as part of their evaluations. Studies focused primarily on short-term changes (15 d to 2 y) in tag retention and survival. Tag retention was equal to or greater than 90% in 85% of the experiments reviewed and median survival was 92%. Growth was reported by fishes in the majority of reviewed studies. We found similar results after PIT tagging (peritoneum tagging using 12- or 23-mm half duplex tags) adult Cardinal Shiner Luxilus cardinalis, Central Stoneroller Campostoma annomalum, Greenside Darter Etheostoma blennioides, Orangethroat Darter Etheostoma spectabile, Slender Madtom Noturus exilis, and juvenile Smallmouth Bass Micropterus dolomieu. Tag retention for all species was high, with only one tag loss recorded after 60 d. Survival was also high (≥88%) for all of our species with the exception of Orangethroat Darter (56% survival). No significant difference in mean growth between treatment and control groups was found. Both our results and the findings of the literature review suggested generally high tag retention and low mortality in tagged fishes (across 31 species reviewed). However, within our study (e.g., Orangethroat Darter) and from the literature, examples of negative effects of PIT tagging on fishes were apparent, suggesting methodological testing is prudent before using PIT tags in field studies. We suggest future studies would benefit from addressing the behavioral implications that may be associated with tagging and examination of longer-term tag retention. Furthermore, standard reporting (i.e., sample sizes) in PIT tag studies would be beneficial, and use of control subjects or groups for statistical comparisons is needed.


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