An improved non-invasive method for measuring heartbeat of intertidal animals

摘要

Since its emergence two decades ago, the use of infrared technology for noninvasively measuring the heartbeatudrates of invertebrates has provided valuable insight into the physiology and ecology of intertidal organisms.udDuring that time period, the hardware needed for this method has been adapted to currently available electronicudcomponents, making the original published description obsolete. This article reviews the history of heartbeat sensingudtechnology, and describes the design and function of a modern and simplified infrared heartbeat rate sensingudsystem compatible with many intertidal and marine invertebrates. This technique overcomes drawbacks andudobstacles encountered with previous methods of heartbeat rate measurement, and due to the sensor’s small size,udversatility, and noninvasive nature, it creates new possibilities for studies across a wide range of organismal types