Physiological effects of radiotransmitters on mourning doves

Abstract

It is critical to understand how radiotransmitters and their attachment techniques impact marked individuals. Many studies of transmitter effects assess only overt, deleterious effects. However, physiological effects caused by attachment techniques might compromise the integrity of resulting information. Our objectives, therefore, were to assess the efficacy of subcutaneous implants and determine the physiological effects on mourning doves (Zenaida macroura) using heterophil:lymphocyte (H:L) ratios, and fecal glucocorticoid measures. We conducted 2 trials with 60 mourning doves; 1 in summer‐autumn (trial #1) and 1 in autumn‐winter (trial #2). For each trial we assigned 15 male and 15 female doves to either a subcutaneous implant treatment or a control group. During the 2 trials, we observed no differences in body masses, H:L ratios or fecal corticosterone levels between mourning doves with subcutaneous implants and the control group. Given the ultimate use of the information obtained from telemetry projects and cost of the resulting initiatives, expenditures associated with rigorous experimental evaluations can only improve the basis of reliable knowledge used in making resource management decisions.

Hematological stress indices reveal no effect of radio-transmitters on wintering Hermit Thrushes

“…Our results, although based on a small sample size, are consistent with studies that have revealed no changes in hematological parameters of captive doves with either backpack transmitters (Small et al 2004, 2005) or implanted transmitters (Schulz et al 1998, 2001, 2005). Such results support the continued use of transmitters, provided they meet suggested weight limits (<3% of body mass; Bird Banding Lab, Patuxent, Maryland).…”

“…The results of such studies indicate that transmitters may (Foster et al 1992, Mattson et al 2006) or may not (Hernandez et al 2004, Sunde 2006) have a negative impact on birds. More recently, investigators have examined possible adverse physiological effects of transmitters, such as increased stress levels (Schulz et al 2001, Small et al 2004, Schulz et al 2005, Small et al 2005) that could affect behavior, longevity, and reproduction, and have found little evidence of such effects. However, these studies were limited to birds in captivity and may not reflect conditions faced by wild birds, especially during potentially stressful parts of their life cycles.…”

Effect of neck collars on the body condition of migrating Greater Snow Geese

“…) and Mourning Doves (Schulz et al. ) were fitted with radio‐transmitters. For Dickcissels, levels were elevated 2 h after tag attachment, but declined to normal levels thereafter (Wells et al.…”

Physiological Stress Response of Captive White‐Tailed Deer to Video Collars

“…The absence of between-group differences in FGM excretion suggests that AVED collars weighing 4% of individual body mass and worn 2 weeks do not induce a physiological stress response in captive white-tailed deer. Other FGM evaluations have shown no effects of attached transmitters on a variety of species, including African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus; Creel et al 1997), three-toed box turtles (Terrapene carolina; Rittenhouse et al 2005), and mourning doves (Zenaida macroura; Schulz et al 2005). Wells et al (2003) observed a spike in FGMs following attachment of transmitters in dickcissels (Spiza americana) that returned to baseline levels within 1 day.…”

“…Stress hormone assessment is a useful tool for evaluating effects of animal-borne tags (e.g., Creel et al 1997, Wells et al 2003, Rittenhouse et al 2005, Schulz et al 2005 because it quantifies subtle changes in animal physiology (i.e., adrenal activity) rather than behavioral or demographic effects, which often only result after individual FGM levels remain high for sustained periods (Millspaugh and Washburn 2004). Previous FGM research has reported short-term effects from attached transmitters (,24 hr; Wells et al 2003), demonstrating the technique can detect acute stressors associated with attaching animal-borne tags.…”