Radiotelemetry in Wildlife Studies

Vocabulary flashcards covering the principles, technology types (VHF, Satellite, GPS), quality markers, and history of radiotelemetry in wildlife studies, with a specific focus on Indian research applications.

Radiotelemetry (Radio-tracking)

A system used to determine information about an animal using radio signals from or to a device carried by the animal, functioning on the assumption that tagged animals do not significantly differ behaviorally from untagged ones.

5 percent rule

The guideline stating that a transmitter should not weigh more than $5\%$ of an animal's body weight to avoid interfering with its ability to move.

Smallest commercial VHF tag

A lightweight telemeter weighing only $0.19\,g$, which makes it possible to tag small animals including insects.

Types of Radio Tracking

The three systems currently in use: Very high frequency (VHF) radio tracking, Satellite tracking, and Global positioning system (GPS) tracking.

Satellite Telemetry

A method using ultra-high frequency (UHF) radio signals transmitted to and tracked by polar-orbiting satellites.

Argos Satellite System

A system that became available for civilian use in $1978$, significantly increasing the popularity of satellite telemetry in wildlife research.

INSAT

The Indian National Satellite System used in India for weather monitoring and wildlife information.

PTT (Platform Transmitter Terminal)

A satellite transmitter device assigned a quality index (Location Class) based on the accuracy of the calculated position.

LC 3

The Location Class representing the highest accuracy for PTT locations, within $< 250\text{ meters}$.

LC 2

A PTT quality index representing accuracy between $250\text{--}500\text{ meters}$.

LC 1

A PTT quality index representing accuracy between $500\text{--}1500\text{ meters}$.

GPS-GSM Technology

A tracking method that utilizes the GSM cell phone network to facilitate communication between the animal's collar and the receiver.

Light-level geolocators (GLS)

Units that use the time of sunrise and sunset to estimate the geographic position of an animal, serving as an alternative to GPS.

Northern pintails study

A telemetry study that identified critical stopover sites for this species, which are vital for conservation efforts.

Rocky Mountain Elk (Cervus elaphus nelson)

A species monitored with GPS collars to study the impact of highways and roads on their ability to cross and migrate.

VHF Limitation

A restriction where scientists must be relatively close to the tagged animal to determine its location, making it difficult to follow birds once they migrate beyond the transmitter's range.

L.D. Mech

An individual from the US Fish and Wildlife Service who brought radiotelemetry technology to India in $1976$ for training and testing.

1983 Gharial Study

The first full-fledged radio-telemetry study in India, conducted by the Crocodile Research Centre, which tagged $12$ gharials (Gavialis gangeticus) in the Chambal River.

Agumbe Rainforest Research Centre (ARRC)

The location in Karnataka where the first attempt at radio telemetry on snakes (specifically the king cobra) in India took place.

Duttaphrynus melanostictus Study

A radio-telemetry study in Tamil Nadu that found national highways (NH) act as physical barriers to toad movement and influence population dynamics.

Whale Shark (2011)

The first fish species to be tagged off the western coast of Gujarat using radiotelemetry.