About the Biotelemetry Laboratory Website

About the site:

The Biotelemetry Laboratory website debuted in March 2004. The original site template was designed by Jennifer Kucich, Web Designer for Engineering Academic Computing Services in the UC Davis College of Engineering. Subsequent modifications and maintenance were performed by John Kelly, a researcher in the Biotelemetry Laboratory. The lab logo and all original artwork on the site were designed and drawn by John Kelly (shading and GIF animation of logo by Jennifer Kucich). All original artwork and photos on this site are property of members of the Biotelemetry Laboratory and may not be used or reproduced without permission.

About the tag icons:

The icons accompanying the names in the Personnel sidebar represent the primary tagging technology employed by each member of the lab.

Ultrasonic Telemetry: These tags transmit high frequency acoustic signals that are well beyond the hearing range of animals. The tags may be simple pingers, sending out an individually coded signal that can be detected and localized, or they may also encode data such as depth, temperature, swimming speed, etc. The signal can be detected by manually operated hydrophones and receivers mounted on boats, or it can be detected by data logging monitors which are automated and may remain in place year-round. Further information on this technology can be found on the Vemco website.

 

Smart Positioning or Temperature Transmitting (SPOT) Tags: SPOT tags are designed for marine organisms like cetaceans, seals, and turtles which routinely come to the surface to breath. During this surface interval, the tag makes contact with orbiting ARGOS satellites and reports its location. The tags may also be designed to download temperature data recorded during the previous dives. Further information on this technology can be found on the Wildlife Computers website.

 

Pop-up Archival Transmitting (PAT) Tags: PAT tags are designed for marine organisms that do not surface regularly, such as sharks and other large pelagic fishes. The tags remain on the animal for a specified period of time, recording a multitude of data including depth, temperature, and light level (which may be used to estimate daily latitude and longitude). After the programmed period of time, the tag releases, floats to the surface, and downloads the stored data to orbiting ARGOS satellites. Further information on this technology can be found on the Wildlife Computers website.

 

Electromyogram (EMG) Radio Telemetry: These tags are a specialized adaptation of radio telemetry technology. Radio tags transmit radio signals that may be detected with antennas and receivers. As with ultrasonic telemetry, radio tags can be simple pingers or can encode data. EMG tags measure muscle contraction activity by means of two probes that are surgically inserted into the musculature of the study subject. They may be used to measure how hard a fish is swimming as it negotiates obstacles in its environment. Further information on this technology can be found at the Lotek Wireless website.