Murray State University
Evaluation of Alternative Tagging Methods for Ambystomatid Salamanders
Institution
Murray State University
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Howard Whiteman
Abstract
Toe-clipping, once a widely used technique for tagging amphibians, has become less accepted in part because of animal welfare issues, and in part because of the development of technologically advanced marking techniques. Two experiments were performed to examine alternative tagging methods, PIT tags (passive integrated transponder) and VIAlpha tags (visible implant alpha-numeric). There have been few studies on the effectiveness and safety of these tagging devices on amphibians. Experiment 1 involved four treatments administered to spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) from western Kentucky: PIT, VI-Alpha, sham and control. In experiment 2, three treatments were administered to tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum nebulosum) from southcentral Colorado: PIT, sham and control. Animals were tagged and then monitored in the laboratory for 12-14 days. Monitored variables included change in mass and condition, incision condition, tag readability and tag retention. All tags were retained during these experiments. PIT tags were successfully read in 100% of the animals in both experiments (20/20 tags), while VI-Alpha tags from experiment 1 could only be read in 60% of the salamanders (6/10). There were no significant differences between treatments in both experiments in regard to change in mass or condition, and there were no cases of incision infection. Thus, neither tagging method had significant short-term effects on salamander health. The rate of failure with VI-Alpha tag readability suggests this tagging method is less effective than PIT tagging, and although the latter is often 3-4 times more expensive, our results suggest that it is the most effective tagging method available.
Evaluation of Alternative Tagging Methods for Ambystomatid Salamanders
Toe-clipping, once a widely used technique for tagging amphibians, has become less accepted in part because of animal welfare issues, and in part because of the development of technologically advanced marking techniques. Two experiments were performed to examine alternative tagging methods, PIT tags (passive integrated transponder) and VIAlpha tags (visible implant alpha-numeric). There have been few studies on the effectiveness and safety of these tagging devices on amphibians. Experiment 1 involved four treatments administered to spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) from western Kentucky: PIT, VI-Alpha, sham and control. In experiment 2, three treatments were administered to tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum nebulosum) from southcentral Colorado: PIT, sham and control. Animals were tagged and then monitored in the laboratory for 12-14 days. Monitored variables included change in mass and condition, incision condition, tag readability and tag retention. All tags were retained during these experiments. PIT tags were successfully read in 100% of the animals in both experiments (20/20 tags), while VI-Alpha tags from experiment 1 could only be read in 60% of the salamanders (6/10). There were no significant differences between treatments in both experiments in regard to change in mass or condition, and there were no cases of incision infection. Thus, neither tagging method had significant short-term effects on salamander health. The rate of failure with VI-Alpha tag readability suggests this tagging method is less effective than PIT tagging, and although the latter is often 3-4 times more expensive, our results suggest that it is the most effective tagging method available.