Comprehensive evaluation of passive tags show no adverse effects in an economically important crustacean

摘要: Abstract Animal tagging can reveal important information about population size, growth and survivorship, however the accuracy of this relies on establishing that tags are retained there no adverse tag-associated effects. A suite potential effects associated with Coded Wire Tags (CWTs) was investigated in captive wild Nephrops norvegicus. The study included a total 232 N. norvegicus (107 tagged 125 untagged) which were held laboratory over 12 months. No tag loss recorded these N. despite moulting having occurred 77/107 individuals. Recovery from initial site or otherwise compared animals by releasing an additional 205 N. into Clew Bay, Co. Mayo Ireland, recapturing them approximately one year later. Tag movement away for injection consistently ∼23% cases (all treatments combined). In ∼10% individuals, found at individual’s extremities and, due to their precarious position, would certainly have been lost during next moult. However, very consistent across groups organized sex (male/female), mobility (captive/wild) increment (high/low), therefore proportion longer experiments is not predicted be biased groupings. Mortality increased individuals relative controls large (above median) small (below size classes either males females. fact, mortality reduced females both sizes untagged group. An apparently positive effect frequency higher counterparts. Differences moult also seen males, growing up 50% more. While latter conceivably sampling artifact, beneficial warrants further study. Overall, results indicate negative CWTs survival.