PERFORMANCE OF PASSIVE INTEGRATED TRANSPONDERS (PIT TAGS) AS A MARKING SYSTEM FOR COMMON BRUSHTAIL POSSUMS TRICHOSURUS VULPECULA - A CAUTIONARY TALE

摘要

PERMANENT individual identification is important to the success of any long-term study of both wild and captive populations (Elbin and Burger 1994). In the past, several types of marking systems have been used for identification purposes depending onthe desired outcome. Identification of common brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) has been achieved using fur dyeing, numbered metal fmgerling ear tags with different colours of reflective tape, ear clipping and tattooing, but all have limitations(Winter 1976). Fur dyeing only allows identification of individuals for distances up to a 100 m and for a very limited time; ear tags can be lost or pulled out soon after being applied; while ear notches are intrusive, can grow out or result in tears that are hard to differentiate from a natural tear. Tattooing appears to be the most successful long-term identification method in T. vulpecula. Some tattoos may become thick and blurry, but remain readable, with the notable exception of growing young (Winter 1976).