No evidence for adverse effects on fitness of fitting passive integrated transponders (PITs) in wild house sparrows Passer domesticus

摘要: Passive integrated transponders (PITs) are increasingly used to study behaviour in small passerines. However, ensure the reliability of such studies, knowledge long-term fitness consequences equipping passerines with PITs is crucial. We quantify effects fitting PITs, injected subcutaneously or glued colour rings, on house sparrows Passer domesticus. Relative annual was assessed delifing method as an individual's contribution population growth rate. found no evidence for adverse individual birds fitted compared individuals without independent methods tags. Our results provide a solid basis assumption that logging devices safe use and will most probably not affect outcome studies respect dynamics components.