Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/12098
Title: The use of small subcutaneous transponders for quantifying thermal biology and torpor in small mammals
Contributor(s): Wacker, Christine  (author); Rojas, Ana Daniella (author); Geiser, Fritz  (author)orcid 
Publication Date: 2012
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2011.11.007
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/12098
Abstract: Remote measurements of body temperature (Tb) in animals require implantation of relatively large temperature-sensitive radio-transmitters or data loggers, whereas rectal temperature (Trec) measurements require handling and therefore may bias the results. We investigated whether ~0.1 g temperature-sensitive subcutaneously implanted transponders can be reliably used to quantify thermal biology and torpor use in small mammals. We examined (i) the precision of transponder readings as a function of temperature and (ii) whether subcutaneous transponders can be used to remotely record subcutaneous temperature (Tsub). Five adult male dunnarts ('Sminthopsis macroura', body mass 24 g) were implanted with subcutaneous transponders to determine Tsub as a function of time and ambient temperature (Ta), and in comparison to thermocouple readings of Trec. Transponder temperature was highly correlated with water bath temperature (r²=0.96-0.99) over a range of approximately 10.0-40.0 °C. Transponders provided reliable data (±0.6 °C) over the Tsub of 21.4-36.9 1C and could be read from a distance of up to 5 cm. Below 21.4 °C, accuracy was reduced to ±2.8 °C, but individual transponder accuracy varied. Consequently, small subcutaneous transponders are useful to remotely quantify thermal physiology and torpor patterns without having to disturb the animal and disrupt torpor. Even at Tsub<21.4 °C where the accuracy of the temperature readings was reduced, transponders do provide reliable data on whether and when torpor is used.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Source of Publication: Journal of Thermal Biology, 37(4), p. 250-254
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd
Place of Publication: United Kingdom
ISSN: 1879-0992
0306-4565
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: 060604 Comparative Physiology
060806 Animal Physiological Ecology
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: 310912 Comparative physiology
310907 Animal physiological ecology
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: 970106 Expanding Knowledge in the Biological Sciences
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: 280102 Expanding knowledge in the biological sciences
Peer Reviewed: Yes
HERDC Category Description: C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal
Appears in Collections:Journal Article

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