Automatic detection of small PIT-tagged animals using wildlife crossings

• DOI: 10.1186/s40317-019-0183-5
• Publication Date: 2019-10-23T04:28:23Z
• Authors: Guillaume Testud; Alan Vergnes; Philippe Cordier; Dorothée Labarraque; Claude Miaud
• Keywords: Transponder (aeronautics)

Abstract Background Mitigating the effect of linear transport infrastructure (LTI) on fauna is a crucial issue in road ecology. Wildlife crossing structures (tunnels or overpasses) are one solution that has been implemented to restore habitat connectivity and reduce wildlife mortality. Evaluating how these crossings function for small often recommended but, mainly due technical limitations, not conducted practice only as short-term monitoring (less than 1 year). In this study, we developed tested an automated device records detailed behaviour animals when using tunnels. The method based marking detecting individuals with RFID (radio-frequency identification) tags allows be tracked. Composed four antennas (detectors) placed at roughly 2 m intervals, system was tunnel northern France summer 2017. One species amphibian (the toad Bufo spinosus, n = 13) two carabids ground beetles Carabus coriaceus nemoralis, respectively, 3 4), marked beforehand PIT (passive integrated transponder) tags, were recorded they crossed detectors. This allowed individual trajectories, including speed, estimated. Results We found 12 13 toads 7 successfully entire passage long. detection rate each detector varied from 8.33 100%, mean 52.08%. All by least detector. observed high variability characteristics (mean transit duration 41 min 15 s ± 25 min) (6 h 11 30 min). provided information precise trajectories (e.g., U-turns, distance travelled tunnel, proportion reaching exit, etc.) individual, context crossing. Conclusion us record animal which other types tracking (e.g. radio-tracking) camera traps) effective. It also opens possibility range experiments would contribute better understanding tunnels, allowing comparison (such size, building material, substrate, aim increasing use proposing guidelines construction maintenance mitigation measures.