The Development and Testing of Three Techniques for Attaching Solar-powered Gsm Satellite Transmitters on Surf Scoters

Title of Document: THE DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING OF THREE TECHNIQUES FOR ATTACHING SOLAR-POWERED GSM SATELLITE TRANSMITTERS ON SURF SCOTERS Kevin M. McBride, Master of Science, 2014 Directed By: Dr. Mary Ann Ottinger, Department of Animal Sciences Implanted satellite transmitters are used in seaducks to track migration routes, breeding, and wintering grounds. However, high mortality rates, handling stress, and inadequate small-scale location data necessitates the use of external transmitters. Three external transmitter attachment techniques were tested on 12 surf scoters (Melanitta perspicillata) including a Teflon tape harness, sutures to anchor the transmitter through the dorsal vertebral processes, or a 3D individually customized silicon harness. Body weight, serum and hematology chemistry, behavioral time budgets, and dive performance provided measures of impacts for each transmitter. Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) transmitter performance was evaluated for accuracy, precision, and battery performance for use in seabirds. All methods had transient effects on weight, serum chemistry, immune response (sutured transmitters), and increased bottom and total dive times. Teflon harnesses impacted behavior. Silicon harnesses induced the least deleterious effects compared to other treatments. We recommend use of silicon harnesses for deploying external transmitters in wild seaducks. THE DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING OF THREE TECHNIQUES FOR ATTACHINGSOLAR-POWERED GSM SATELLITE TRANSMITTERS ON SURF SCOTERS By: Kevin Mark McBride Thesis submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of the University of Maryland, College Park, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, 2014 Advisory Committee: Professor Mary Ann Ottinger, Chair Associate Professor Dr. David R. Tilley Research Scientist Dr. Alicia Wells-Berlin ©Copyright by Kevin Mark McBride 2014