PIT tagging technique for Ambystomatid salamanders (Amphibia)

Knowledge graph centered on PIT tagging technique for Ambystomatid salamanders (Amphibia) with 51 nodes and 157 connections. Top connected: Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, Gothic, Engelmann Spruce, Callospermophilus lateralis, Spermophilus.

Method synopsis

Controlled laboratory experiment comparing survival, growth, and tag retention between PIT-tagged and control salamanders over 90 days to validate tag safety for small amphibians.

Synthesized from method descriptions across 3 papers using this protocol.

Procedure from a recent peer-reviewed implementation

Steps below were extracted from the most recent peer-reviewed implementation of this protocol in the corpus — Efficacy and Uses of PIT Tag Telemetry in Salamanders From the Western USA: ,<i> Aneides vagrans </i>, <i> Ensatina eschscholtzii </i>, and <i> Ambystoma mavortium </i> (2022), Herpetological Conservation and Biology. The protocol was originally introduced by A PIT tagging technique for Ambystomatid salamanders (2016), Herpetological Review. Implementations in other papers (listed below) may differ.

1. Laboratory safety test setup
   30 Ensatina eschscholtzii salamanders (>2g each) were captured from Arcata Community Forest, Humboldt County, California in April-May 2016 and housed individually in plastic boxes (23 × 18 × 15 cm) with fitted lids, lined with 3-4 cm of moist EcoEarth substrate and provided with cover objects
   Quantities: 30 salamanders, 15 control + 15 experimental, minimum 2g body mass, box dimensions 23×18×15 cm, 3-4 cm substrate depthDuration: 90 days total monitoring periodConditions: Controlled conditions at 13°-14° C, 12:12 h light/dark cycle
   Equipment: plastic housing boxes, EcoEarth substrate, cover objects, house crickets
2. PIT tag implantation
   Salamanders were anesthetized by immersion in 0.02% benzocaine solution and injected intraperitoneally near the 7th costal groove with a 0.05g, 8-mm long PIT tag using a MK25 implanter, with Baytril antibiotic applied to cotton swab and rubbed on incision
   Quantities: 0.05g tags, 8mm length, 0.02% benzocaine concentrationDuration: Single implantation event per animalConditions: Anesthetized animals on wet paper towel
   Equipment: MK25 implanter, 0.05g 8mm PIT tags, benzocaine, Baytril antibiotic, cotton swabs

Typical Equipment

• plastic housing boxes
• EcoEarth substrate
• MK25 implanter
• PIT tags
• benzocaine
• Baytril antibiotic

Output Measurements

• survival rate
• mass change
• tag retention
• behavioral observations

Papers Using This Protocol (3)

Species Studied With This Protocol

Places Where Used