Animal Biotelemetry

Question 1

what are the 4 conditions when biotelemetry is essential?

Answer 1

• There’s no other way to collect data.
• Studying morphology, physiology (e.g., energetics), habitat use, and behavior.
• Monitoring conservation issues and human-wildlife conflicts, especially with elusive or wide-ranging species.
• Animals can act as environmental sensors (e.g., temp/light).

Question 2

what can biotelemetry track?

Answer 2

Helps track foraging, habitat use, social behavior, and complex social structures.

Question 3

what are the 5 common tag types?

Answer 3

1. Radio transmitters (VHF) – Manual tracking.
2. Satellite transmitters – Use ARGOS system, large error range.
3. GPS tags – High precision (~5m error), but require data retrieval.
4. Solar geolocation tags – Based on light levels; lower accuracy.
5. Acoustic transmitters – Use underwater sound for tracking.

Question 4

what is the key consideration when assessing the tag type (whether passive/active, internal/external)

Answer 4

How to retrieve data – remotely or via animal/tag recovery.

Question 5

describe radio tags

Answer 5

Lightweight (>0.29g), medium cost, require manual tracking

Question 6

describe satellite tags

Answer 6

Large (>5g), expensive, high error (150m–50km).

Question 7

describe biologging (PAT)

Answer 7

Store data until surfacing, very expensive, large error.

Question 8

describe GPS tags

Answer 8

Small (~2g), accurate, remote/physical data retrieval

Question 9

describe geolocators

Answer 9

Lightweight, cheap, but high error (+/- 180km).

Question 10

describe acoustic tags

Answer 10

For underwater use, expensive receivers, good accuracy.

Question 11

for data retrieval, which tag tech needs to be retrieved and which doesn’t?

Answer 11

No retrieval needed: Radio, satellite, PAT tags.

Need retrieval or remote download: GPS, geolocators, acoustic.
- Remote retrieval adds weight/cost.
- Acoustic requires receiver retrieval or acoustic release systems.

Question 12

what are the 4 trade-offs in tagging choice?

Answer 12

o Data resolution vs battery life.
o Internal vs external attachment.
o Real-time transmission vs stored data.
o Tag size/weight vs power.