Abstract
BackgroundThe vaginal implant transmitter is an effective tool in the study of neonatal survival rates for cervid species. The latest iterations of the vaginal implant transmitter use Global Positioning Systems and ultra-high frequency telemetry technology to create a self-monitoring system in which researchers receive near instantaneous notifications of parturition events via remote transmission. We deployed ultra-high-frequency radio-linked vaginal implant transmitters on 44 adult female white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and assessed their performance and possible benefits to field research.ResultsIn 2016, 60% of the females expelled transmitters at the birth sites. Failure to locate a birth site was a result of technological failings (20%) and premature expulsions (20%). Following manufacturer updates in 2017, we observed an apparent reduction in technology malfunctions (8%) but similar rates of premature expulsions (33%), which resulted in 58% of radio-linked transmitters expelled at birth sites. We located similar numbers of neonates per device across both years. The likelihood that researchers would locate > 1 neonate at or near the birth site was greater for radio-linked transmitters than has been reported in studies using traditional vaginal implant transmitters.ConclusionsRadio-linked transmitters allow researchers to increase sample size, expand spatial distribution of study animals, and reduce personnel requirements.
Highlights
The vaginal implant transmitter is an effective tool in the study of neonatal survival rates for cervid species
We evaluated the transmitters based on rates of technological failure, retention, the number of neonates located per transmitter, and the rate at which researchers located > 1 neonate at a birth site
If we discovered the radio-linked vaginal implant transmitter (rVIT) outside of any apparent birth site, we searched the area until we found a birth site
Summary
The vaginal implant transmitter is an effective tool in the study of neonatal survival rates for cervid species. The latest iterations of the vaginal implant transmitter use Global Positioning Systems and ultra-high frequency telemetry technology to create a self-monitoring system in which researchers receive near instantaneous notifications of parturition events via remote transmission. We deployed ultra-high-frequency radio-linked vaginal implant transmitters on 44 adult female white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and assessed their performance and possible benefits to field research. Estimation of neonate survival is critical to population monitoring and the successful management of whitetailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) [1,2,3]. Vaginal implant transmitters (VIT) were developed to enable the location of birth sites and aid in the timely capture of neonatal ungulates [7]. Using a modified version of existing radio telemetry technology, the VIT utilizes a very-high-frequency (VHF) transmitter equipped with a parturition-indicating motion switch and internal spiral antenna.
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