Reference | Clark, J.M. and M.W. Kershner. 2006. Size-dependent effects of visible implant elastomer marking on crayfish (Orconectes obscurus) growth, mortality, and tag retention. Crustaceana 79: 275-284. |
Abstract | Many methods have been used to mark crustaceans. However, crustaceans often lose tags during the molting process and some tags may interfere with growth rate, behavior, and mortality of the organism. In this study, four Visible Implant Elastomer (VIE) colors (red, orange, green, and yellow) were used to tag adult [average CL = 25.0 ± 0.6 mm (1SE)] and juvenile [average carapace length (CL) = 13.2 ± 0.6 mm (1SE)] crayfish, Orconectes obscurus (Hagen, 1870), to assess long-term tagging effects on size-specific growth, mortality, and tag retention. The number of molts, average growth per molt, and total growth were not significantly different between tagged and control groups. Additionally, mortality between tagged and control crayfish was not significantly different in adults or juveniles. There was 100% retention of tags and all remained visible until death or the end of the experiments. Although some tag fragmentation occurred, VIE appears to be an effective tagging technique for adult and juvenile O. obscurus. |
Tag | Visible Implant Elastomer (VIE) |
Objective | Evaluate tags |