A low-cost GPS GSM/GPRS telemetry system: performance in stationary field tests and preliminary data on wild otters (Lutra lutra).

摘要: Background Despite the increasing worldwide use of global positioning system (GPS) telemetry in wildlife research, it has never been tested on any freshwater diving animal or peculiar conditions riparian habitat, despite this latter being one most important habitat types for many taxa. Moreover, cases, GPS devices used have commercial and expensive, limiting their low-budget projects. Methodology/Principal Findings We developed a low-cost, easily constructed GSM/GPRS (Global System Mobile Communications/General Packet Radio Service) examined its performance stationary tests, by assessing influence different types, including riparian, as well water submersion certain climatic environmental variables fix-success rate accuracy. We then wild animals, applying it, first time, to an otter species (Lutra lutra). The locations acquired during tests reached 63.2%, with average location error 8.94 m (SD = 8.55). habitats was principally affected secondarily inclination position within riverbed. Temporal spatial correlations estimates accounted some variation data sets. GPS-tagged otters also provided accurate even higher (68.2%). Conclusions/Significance Our results suggest that is reliably applicable animals. They highlight need, studies, performing site-specific pilot studies functioning taking into account eventual temporal correlation estimates. limited price, small dimensions, high device presented here make useful cost-effective tool other aquatic terrestrial medium-to-large-sized