Home / All Titles / The Southwestern Naturalist / May 2009 / pg(s) 214-216

The Southwestern Naturalist

Published by: Southwestern Association of Naturalists

« previous article : next article »

The Southwestern Naturalist 54(2):214-216. 2009
doi: 10.1894/KF-02.1

Benefits of Subcutaneous Implantation of Radiotransmitters in Pocket Gophers

Matthew B. Connior* and Thomas S. Risch

Department of Biological Sciences, Arkansas State University, P.O. Box 599, State University, AR 72467

*Correspondent: matthew.connior@smail.astate.edu

Associate Editor was Karen E. Francl

Abstract

Conventional attachment of radiotransmitters may not be feasible in pocket gophers due to their unique morphology and fossorial lifestyle. We implanted radiotransmitters subcutaneously in Ozark pocket gophers, Geomys bursarius ozarkensis, 3 March 2007–10 February 2008. Of the 72 surgeries, 70 were successful. We recaptured 22 individuals (range, 20–325 days post-implantation) and recorded a mean change in mass from implantation to recapture for adult males, adult females, and juveniles of 1.1% (SD = 11.9), −1.6% (SD = 9.0), and 17.3% (SD = 18.8), respectively. We suggest that subcutaneous implantation is the best method for pocket gophers and may be applicable for other small mammals.

Resumen

La fijación convencional de radiotransmisores puede no ser la más apropiada para las tuzas debido a su peculiar morfología y hábitos subterráneos. Implantamos radiotransmisores subcutáneos en las tuzas Geomys bursarius ozarkensis entre el 3 de marzo de 2007 y el 10 de febrero de 2008. De las 72 cirugías, 70 fueron exitosas. Recapturamos 22 individuos (con un rango de entre 20 y 235 días después del implante) y encontramos un cambio de masa promedio desde la implantación hasta la recaptura para machos, hembras y juveniles de 1.1% (DE = 11.9), −1.6% (DE = 9.0), y 17.3% (DE = 18.8), respectivamente. Sugerimos que la implantación subcutánea es el mejor método para las tuzas y puede ser aplicable para otros mamíferos pequeños.

Received: February 26, 2008; Accepted: August 28, 2008

Literature Cited

Andersen, D. C. and J. A. MacMahon. 1981. Population dynamics and bioenergetics of a fossorial herbivore, Thomomys talpoides (Rodentia: Geomyidae) in a spruce-fir sere. Ecological Monographs 51:179–202. CrossRef, CSA

Artmann, J. W. 1967. Telemetric study of the pocket gopher, Geomys bursarius. M.S. thesis, University of Minnesota, Smart. Paul.

Bandoli, J. H. 1987. Activity and plural occupancy of burrows in Botta's pocket gopher Thomomys bottae. American Midland Naturalist 118:10–14. CrossRef, CSA

Benedix, J. H. 1994. A predictable pattern of daily activity by the pocket gopher Geomys bursarius. Animal Behaviour 48:501–509. CrossRef, CSA

Busch, C., C. D. Antinuchi, J. C. del Valle, M. J. Kittlein, A. I. Malizia, A. I. Vassallo, and R. R. Zenuto. 2000. Population ecology of subterranean rodents. 183–226. in Life underground: the biology of subterranean rodents. Lacey, E. A., J. L. Patton, and G. N. Cameron. University of Chicago Press. Chicago, Illinois.

Cameron, G. N., S. R. Spencer, B. D. Eshelman, L. R. Williams, and M. J. Gregory. 1988. Activity and burrow structure of Attwater's pocket gopher (Geomys attwateri). Journal of Mammalogy 69:667–677. CrossRef

Eagle, T. C., J. Choromanski-Norris, and V. B. Kuechle. 1984. Implanting radio transmitters in mink and Franklin's ground squirrels. Wildlife Society Bulletin 12:180–184.

Gannon, W. L. and R. S. Sikes. and the Animal Care and Use Committee of the American Society of Mammalogists 2007. Guidelines of the American Society of Mammalogists for the use of wild mammals in research. Journal of Mammalogy 88:809–823. Bioone

Koehler, D. K., T. D. Reynolds, and S. H. Anderson. 1987. Radio-transmitter implants in 4 species of small mammals. Journal of Wildlife Management 51:105–108. CrossRef, CSA

Van Vuren, D. 1989. Effects of intraperitoneal transmitter implants on yellow-bellied marmots. Journal of Wildlife Management 53:320–323. CrossRef, CSA

Wilks, B. J. 1963. Some aspects of the ecology and population dynamics of the pocket gopher (Geomys bursarius) in southern Texas. Texas Journal of Science 15:241–283.

Witmer, G. W., R. D. Sayler, and M. J. Pipas. 1996. Biology and habitat use of the Mazama pocket gopher (Thomomys mazama) in the Puget Sound Area, Washington. Northwest Science 70:93–98. CSA

Zinnel, K. C. and J. R. Tester. 1991. Implanting radio transmitters in plains pocket gophers. Prairie Naturalist 23:35–40.