Dear List: We are considering attempting the use of acoustic implanted transmitters in fully aquatic salamanders to automatically track their movements using something like Vemco's or Lotek's systems. These systems are really designed for more open water, as the signal is scattered by rocks and such, and these salamanders will be hiding in cobble and such, so perhaps they aren't ideal. On the other hand, these tags can be picked up in hundreds of meters of open water, whereas our river system is at most 50 meters in width, and the river ranges from less than one to more than four meters in depth. Does anyone have any experience with acoustic tracking in such a system that could lend some advice about the suitability of using these systems? The reason we are considering this over radiotelemetry is that the river is too high and fast much of the year to get into it and track, and experiences too much human traffic to safely put out permanent radiotracking towers (whereas the acoustic receivers can be hidden in the river).
Thanks, Steve
