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Australian Mammalogy Australian Mammalogy Society
Journal of the Australian Mammal Society
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Recovery of southern bent-winged bats (Miniopterus orianae bassanii) after PIT-tagging and the use of surgical adhesive

Emmi van Harten https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4672-754X A G , Terry Reardon B , Peter H. Holz C , Ruth Lawrence D , Thomas A. A. Prowse E and Lindy F. Lumsden F
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Department of Ecology, Environment and Evolution, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Vic. 3086, Australia.

B South Australian Museum, GPO Box 234, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.

C Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Vic. 3030, Australia.

D Department of Outdoor and Environmental Education, La Trobe University, PO Box 199, Bendigo, Vic. 3552, Australia.

E School of Mathematical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.

F Arthur Rylah Institute, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, PO Box 137, Heidelberg, Vic. 3084, Australia.

G Corresponding author. Email: e.vharten@latrobe.edu.au

Australian Mammalogy 42(2) 216-219 https://doi.org/10.1071/AM19024
Submitted: 20 March 2019  Accepted: 16 June 2019   Published: 15 August 2019

Abstract

Surgical adhesive is widely used to prevent shedding of injected PIT-tags, but the effect of this adhesive on individuals has not been documented. We recaptured 52 southern bent-winged bats up to 741 days after PIT-tagging. All recaptured individuals were in good body condition, with no signs of infection or skin irritation; however, temporary fur loss occurred at the injection site. We advocate that researchers consider the impact this may have on study species, particularly when PIT-tagging small mammals during cooler months.

Additional keywords: glue, marking techniques, mark-recapture, microchip.


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