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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 60(4)

A cautionary tale: surrogates for radio-tagging practice do not always simulate the responses of closely related species

Brendan C. Ebner A B D , Mark Lintermans A C , Mark Jekabsons A , Mark Dunford A and William Andrews A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Parks, Conservation and Lands, Department of Territory and Municipal Services, ACT Government, GPO Box 158, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.

B Present address: Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, Qld 4111, Australia.

C Present address: Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT 2601, Australia.

D Corresponding author. Email: b.ebner@griffith.edu.au

Marine and Freshwater Research 60(4) 371-378 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF08159
Submitted: 19 May 2008  Accepted: 5 January 2009   Published: 29 April 2009

Abstract

Telemetry is useful for monitoring rare and threatened species if they can be effectively tagged. Relatively abundant, closely related species are sometimes used as surrogates in refining tagging methods or testing the suitability of methods before transfer to rare and threatened species. A decision framework for developing a radio-tagging method of an endangered fish (Macquaria australasica; Percichthyidae) is presented based on experiences with tagging a closely related, surrogate species (Macquaria ambigua). Aquaria and field-based trials demonstrated the suitability of internally implanting a radio-tag with an externally exited antenna on the surrogate species. However, transferring this method to the endangered species under field conditions was unsuccessful in terms of mortality and/or radio-tag rejection. In this case, a surrogate species served to refine radio-tagging methods, but did not successfully indicate the suitability of these methods for a closely related species. This cautionary tale illustrates that surrogate species are not always effective and extrapolation of methods, even across closely related species, may be perilous.

Additional keywords: methodology, Percichthyidae, radio-tag, surgery, telemetry, threatened species.


Acknowledgements

Justin O’Connor and John Koehn provided an outline of their surgical procedure and advice on radio tracking. Simon Godschalx assisted with the radio tracking and surgery. This work was funded from the Natural Heritage Trust through the Murray-Darling 2001 Fishrehab Program and benefited from the advice of a steering committee. Ben Broadhurst and Lynn Hinds provided advice used in the study. Murray Evans improved the flow diagram. The manuscript was improved by comments from three referees. This research was conducted under authorisation (CEAE 01/05) from the Committee for Ethics in Animal Experimentation, University of Canberra. The research was conducted in Ngunnawal country.


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