Improving Large Cetacean Implantable Satellite Tag Designs to Maximize Tag Robustness and Minimize Health Effects to Individual Animals.

摘要

This project aims to develop robust implantable satellite tags for large cetaceans by addressing tag design flaws observed during studies focused on Gulf of Maine (GOM) humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) (Robbins et al. 2013; Zerbini et al. 2013). In addition, potential trauma caused by muscle penetrating devices (Moore et al., 2013) will be evaluated through experiments on cetacean carcasses. These experiments along with existing information on tag vulnerabilities will inform development of new tag designs that are expected to minimize potential health effects to individual whales while maintaining or improving tag duration.