Amphibians
Amphibian research usually requires a delicate hand and sensitive care so there is benefit in knowing what your end goals are for your project in order to select the best equipment for the job. The first point to determine is how you would like to monitor your species. Will it be mark/recapture and in hand scanning, or will you use remote monitoring systems at a stationary location? Biomark recommends to use the largest tag size you possible because a larger tags mean better detection performance. The 12.5 mm tag size is the standard used by most researchers doing studies on the larger amphibians, but smaller tags might be needed to accommodate the smaller newts and salamanders out there. When performing mark/recapture work especially, tag size is not as critical and smaller tags can be implemented successfully. If you choose the smaller 8MM tag, you will have the option of using a sterile application, or purchasing bulk and using the MK165 & N165 for your research. There is also a NEW 10MM tag available which uses the same implanter, but has a better read range. Many scientists employ the HPR Plus with the BP Plus antenna in order to monitor entire sections of water with very little impact on the native environments, but usually with a 12.5 mm tag. Monitoring Amphibians can be very challenging and many unique details need to be considered and so we at Biomark are happy to discuss your specific project and help answer any questions you might have.
Birds
Avian research comes in many forms and there are many ways to accomplish your goals. The first point to determine is how you would like to monitor your tagged specimen. Do you plan on mark/recapture and in hand scanning, or will you use remote monitoring systems at a stationary location? Biomark recommends to use the largest tag size possible because a larger tags mean better detection performance. The 12.5 mm tag size is the standard used by most researchers doing most Avian studies around the globe. If you plan on performing a mark/recapture project, tag size is not as critical and smaller tags can be used with great success. It should be noted that should you ever plan to remotely monitor this same population of tagged animals, a larger tag should be considered and is strongly recommended. If you are worried about infection, Biomark offers several sterile tag options to help mitigate this risk. If interested in monitoring body temperature, a thermal tag is available as well. Tags can be implanted using a variety of methods, including attaching to a leg band, which should be determined once a product has been decided upon. As always, unique details come with every study that need to be considered and so we at Biomark are happy to discuss your specific project to offer advice and answer any questions you might have.
Crustaceans
Crustacean studies will most likely find you scanning this species in deep to semi-deep waters. Biomark recommends to use the largest tag size you possible because a larger tags mean better detection performance. The 12.5 mm tag size is the standard used by most researchers doing Crustacean studies, however larger tags are strongly encouraged if possible. The preferred reader and antenna configuration used by most crustacean researchers are the HPR Plus Reader & BP Plus antenna. This gives you the ability to scan the animal without disruption and without a back ache! Tag insertion ranges from actual implantation to simply epoxying the tag to the shell. Both will work, but the epoxy method allows for larger tag selections. Due to the unique challenges of monitoring crustaceans, there are plenty of details that need to be considered and so we at Biomark are happy to discuss your specific project and help answer any questions you might have.
Fish
From Aquaculture to hatchery work, it helps to have a good idea what your end goals are in order to select the best equipment for the job. The first point to determine is how you would like to monitor your tagged specimen. Will it be mark/recapture and in hand scanning, or will you use remote monitoring systems at a stationary location? Biomark recommends to use the largest tag size possible because a larger tags mean better detection performance. The 12.5 mm tag size is the standard used by most researchers doing fish studies around the globe. If you plan on performing a mark/recapture project, tag size is not as critical and smaller tags can be used with great success. It should be noted that should you ever plan to remotely monitor this same population of tagged animals, a larger tag should be considered and is strongly recommended. Tags can be implanted using a variety of methods. For mass tagging and general convenience, nothing beats the Biomark Preloaded Trays and MK25 implant gun. If you don’t mind loading your own tags, the classic syringe and needle combo is still tried and true. As always, unique details come with every study that need to be considered and so we at Biomark are happy to discuss your specific project to offer advice and answer any questions you might have.
Mammals
Whether bats or mice, mammal studies are as varied as they come and so it is vital to have a plan about how you will accomplish your goals and to know what equipment would best serve your needs. The first point to determine is how you would like to monitor your tagged specimen. Will it be trapping and recapturing using in hand scanning, or will you be monitoring remotely at a baited station or crossing? Biomark recommends to use the largest tag size possible because a larger tags mean better detection performance. The 12.5 mm tag size is the standard used by most researchers doing mammal PIT tag studies. If you plan on performing a mark/recapture project, tag size is not as critical and smaller tags can be used with great success. It should be noted that should you ever plan to remotely monitor this same population of tagged animals, a larger tag should be considered and is strongly recommended. If you are worried about infection, Biomark offers several sterile tag options to help mitigate this risk. If interested in monitoring body temperature, a thermal tag is available as well. Tags can be implanted using a variety of methods. The classic syringe and needle combo is used for implantation in the majority of mammal studies but the Preloaded Needles and Trays are quickly becoming very popular as well. As always, unique details come with every study that need to be considered and so we at Biomark are happy to discuss your specific project to offer advice and answer any questions you might have.
Reptiles
Reptiles can be as varied as snakes and lizards being monitored and so knowing what your end goals are for your project is imperative in order to select the best equipment for the job. The first point to determine is how you would like to monitor your species. Will it be mark/recapture and in hand scanning, or will you use remote monitoring systems at a stationary location? Biomark recommends to use the largest tag size you possible because a larger tags mean better detection performance. The 12.5 mm tag size is the standard used by most researchers doing Reptile studies, but it all depends on the size of the animal being tagged. For mark/recapture work, tag size is not as critical and smaller tags can be implemented successfully, however should you ever plan to remotely monitor the same population of tagged animals, a larger tag should be considered and is strongly recommended. Implanting the tags can be accomplished using a variety of options. The classic syringe and needle is still heavily used, but extra needles are encourage due to the need to penetrate tough scales and skin. Alternatively, the preloaded trays and needles are becoming more popular because it provides a fresh needle for every animal. More and more reptile researchers, including nearly all sea turtle researchers, utilize the GPT12 preloaded sterile tag to limit infection. With every study comes unique details that need to be considered and so we at Biomark are happy to discuss your specific project and help answer any questions you might have.
Other
Why limit your research to members of the animal kingdom? Various other subjects have been tagged and monitored ranging from sediment in a bed movement studies to cactus in an effort to catch poachers. Tagging and monitoring of this kind uses very similar techniques as it does with animals and the same questions need to be considered. Do you plan on mark/recapture and in hand scanning, or will you be monitoring remotely at a stationary location? Because the tagging subjects are usually less frail, Biomark recommends to use the largest tag size possible to maximize detection efficiency and tag resilience. Tags can be implanted using a variety of methods and will ultimately be determined by your chosen subject and what it is made from. We encourage you to contact Biomark to discuss the unique details of your tagging application.