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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 60(4)

Telemetry tagging methods for some freshwater reptiles

J. Sean Doody A D , John Roe A B , Phillip Mayes C and Lesley Ishiyama A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.

B Biology Department, Indiana-Purdue University, Fort Wayne, IN 46805, USA.

C Centre for Ecosystem Management, Edith Cowan University, School of Natural Sciences, 100 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia.

D Corresponding author. Email: sean.doody@anu.edu.au

Marine and Freshwater Research 60(4) 293-298 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF08158
Submitted: 19 May 2008  Accepted: 9 January 2009   Published: 29 April 2009

Abstract

Reptiles are often ignored or under-studied in freshwater systems. An understanding of their biology and thus their role in aquatic communities can be greatly advanced by studies using radio telemetry. In turn, the value of radio telemetry for research depends on the availability of suitable and reliable methods of attaching or implanting radio transmitters. The present study describes transmitter attachment and implantation techniques for selected freshwater reptiles, including the eastern and northern long-necked turtles (Chelodina longicollis and Chelodina rugosa, respectively), the pig-nosed turtle (Carettochelys insculpta), Mertens’ water monitor (Varanus mertensi) and the water dragon (Physignathus lesueurii). The effectiveness of the methods for each species is described and the potential pitfalls and challenges of each method are discussed. The literature abounds with techniques for attachment and implantation techniques, and the methods used in the present study are not wholly novel. The aim, however, is to provide detailed summaries, in one paper, of effective methods for attachment and implantation of radio-tags for freshwater reptiles with a diversity of sizes, shapes and attachment surfaces. Despite the focus on Australian freshwater reptiles, these methods are applicable to aquatic reptiles worldwide.

Additional keywords: Carettochelys insculpta, Chelodina longicollis, Chelodina rugosa, Physignathus lesueurii, radio telemetry, Varanus mertensi.


Acknowledgements

We thank B. Ebner for inviting us to present this paper as part of this special issue. All methods described were approved by the respective animal ethics committees. We also thank A. Boulton, B. Ebner, C. Franklin and an anonymous reviewer for improving the manuscript.


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