A subdermal tagging technique for juvenile sturgeon using a new self-powered acoustic tag

Journal Article · Thu Feb 24 23:00:00 EST 2022 · Animal Biotelemetry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40317-022-00279-x· OSTI ID:1846480

Liss, Stephanie A.; Li, Huidong; Deng, Zhiqun Daniel

Abstract Background

A new technology for a self-powered acoustic tag (SPT) was developed for active tracking of juvenile fish, intended to avoid the typical battery life constraints associated with active telemetry technology. We performed a laboratory study to evaluate a subdermal tagging technique for the SPT and effects of the tag on survival, tag retention, and growth in juvenile white sturgeon ( Acipenser transmontanus ).

Results

Survival was associated with tag retention. White sturgeon implanted with the SPT ( n  = 30) had 93% survival and tag retention by day 28, 67% by day 101, and 38% by day 595 post-tagging. Sturgeon implanted with a passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag only (control group) had 96% survival and tag retention by day 28, and through day 101 post-tagging. Fish in the PIT group were repurposed after day 101, so no comparisons with this group were made at day 595 post-tagging. Specific growth rate (SGR) for fork length was a median of 0.25% day ⁻¹ by day 28 for the SPT group, which was significantly lower than the PIT group (median: 0.42% day ⁻¹ ; n  = 27). The SPT and PIT groups had similar SGR fork length by day 101 post-tagging (0.22 and 0.25% day ⁻¹ , respectively). SGR weight was also lower for the SPT group compared to the PIT group on day 28 (1.39 and 2.11% day ⁻¹ , respectively), but the difference again dissipated by day 101 (0.79 and 0.88% day ⁻¹ , respectively).

Conclusion

The tagging technique and placement of the SPT allowed the tag to remain upright along the flank of the sturgeon to ensure maximum battery output of the SPT; however, retention rates of the SPT were not ideal. We provided suggestions to improve the tagging technique. Suggestions included tagging fish that are > 400 mm FL, moving the incision location to extend the cavity and create a pocket for the placement of the SPT, and performing a quantitative wound-healing evaluation. Future studies are therefore recommended to evaluate these suggestions.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 1846480
• Journal Information: Animal Biotelemetry, Journal Name: Animal Biotelemetry Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 10; ISSN 2050-3385
• Publisher: Springer Science + Business Media
• Country of Publication: United Kingdom
• Language: English