Mortality of radio‐tracked wild rats in relation to transmitter weight and resilience of transmitters in relation to their design

摘要: Abstract We assessed mortality of rats in relation to transmitter weight and tested several types rat transmitters order provide recommendations for their design. used 21 collars with radio‐ or dummy transmitters, made either epoxy dental acrylic, external internal (inside the collar) antennae, on 20 (Rattus rattus R. exulans) rainforests New Caledonia. found that chewed destroyed most whip antennae epoxy. Rats, especially males during reproductive season, weighed 4.7–7.1% body weight, had a higher than those 2.1–4.0% weight. recommend keeping down about 4% constructing exclusively acrylic using if heavier lower range do not cause problems study.