A Manual for Wildlife Radio Tagging

812

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as the allocationof the genusPhodilusto the Tytonidae, are confirmed.Relationshipsthat makebiogeographicsense,suchasthe monophylyof New World

[Auk, Vol. 118 E Gill, Eds.).Academyof Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, and American Ornithologists'Union, Washington,D.C.

Otus and of Old World Otus, are recovered. Other re-

HUME, R., AND T. BOYER.1991. Owls of the World.

sultsare surprising:the two Otuscladesare not sister groups,and Ketupaand Nycteaare deeplyembed-

Dragon'sWorld, Limpsfield,United Kingdom. MONROE,B. L., JR.1968. A distributional survey of the birds of Honduras. OrnithologicalMonographs,no. 7. RASMUSSEN, P. C. 1999. A new speciesof hawk-owl

ded within Bubo. Overall, however, these molecular

resultsare not very robustand oughtnot to be used as the basisfor a revisionof owl taxonomy.Alternate methodsfor inferringphylogenetictreeswere used, suchasparsimony,likelihood,andneighbor-joining, and they led to somesurprisinglydifferent results. In addition, the usually employedindicesof robustnessin phylogeneticanalyses,suchasbootstrapconfidencelevelsfor nodeson trees,are moderatelyhigh only for somenodesin the neighbor-joiningtree.For example,they range from 0.5 to 0.7 for older, intergenericrelationships,but for the most part are less than 0.5 for the parsimonyanalysis.Much more mitochondrial data or slower-evolving nuclear genes are going to be required to settlethe problemof intergenericrelationshipsamongowls. It is fortunate, therefore,that KtSniget al. havenot adoptedmany of the DNA results in their classification.For example, mostNew and Old World Otusremainin that genus, and the Snowy Owl remains in Nyctea.However, O. leucotisbecomesPtilopsisleucotisand P. granti (taxa that may be more closelyrelated to Asio than to Otus), and Ketupaand Ciccabaare merged into Bubo and Strix, respectively. Despite our criticisms,KtSniget al.'s Owls will be useful as the only medium-sized (and thus easily transported)bookthat illustratesand discusses all of the world's owls and as a sourcefor many of the latest thoughtsabout owl systematics.However, readers must be cognizant of the fact that the lack of scholarshiprevealedin this book rendersit nearly uselessas a modern summary of what is known aboutthe biology of the world'sowls. The door continuesto remainwide openfor someoneto tacklethe challengingtask of adequatelysynthesizingthe current literature on the more than 200 speciesof strigiformsthoughtto occurin the world today.--JEFFREYS. MARKS,MontanaCooperative WildlifeResearch Unit, UniversityofMontana,Missoula,Montana59812, USA. E-mail:jmarks@selway. umt.eduGEORGE E BARROWCLOUGH, Departmentof Ornithology,American Museumof NaturalHistory,CentralParkWestat 79th Street, New York, New York 10024, USA. E-mail:

[email protected] LITERATURE

CITED

DEL HOYO, J., A. ELLIOTT, AND J. SARGATAL, EDS. 1999. Handbook of the Birds of the World, vol.

5. Lynx Edicions,Barcelona,Spain. HAUG, E. A., B. A. MILLSAP, AND M. S. MARTELL.

1993. Burrowing Owl (Speotytocunicularia).In The Birds of North America, no. 61 (A. Pooleand

Ninox from North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Wilson Bulletin

111:457-464.

RASMUSSEN, P. C., AND N.J. COLLAR.1998. Identification, distribution and status of the Forest Owlet Athene(Heteroglaux) blewitti.Forktail14:41-49. RASMUSSEN,P. C., T. S. SCHULENBERG,F. HAWKINS,

AND R. VONINAVOKO.2000. Geographicvariation in the Malagasy Scops-Owl (Otus rutilus auct.):The existenceof an unrecognizedspecies on Madagascarand the taxonomy of other Indian

Ocean

taxa.

Bulletin

of the British

Orni-

thologists'Club 120:75-102.

TheAuk 118(3):812-815, 2001

A Manual for Wildlife Radio Tagging--Robert E. Kenward. 2000. Academic Press, London, United

Kingdom. x + 311 pp., 107 text figures. ISBN 0-12404242-2.Cloth, $65.00.--Radio taggingprovidesa convenient and cost-effective means of remotely monitoring the physiology,movements,resourceselection, and demographicsof wild animals. Consequently,radio tagginghasbecomean importantand attractive tool for ecologists.The past 10 yearshave been a particularly interestingtime for usersof telemetry. Radio tags have becomesmallerand more reliable;advancingtechnologiessuchas satellitetelemetry,globalpositioningsystems,anduser-friendly, PC-basedgeographicinformation systems(GIS) have emerged;and new data-analysistechniquesto incorporatethoseadvancements are numerousand impressive.Despite those advancements,there has beenno up-to-datesynthesison radio taggingwild animals.Kenward'sA Manualfor WildlifeRadioTagging fulfills an important niche. In this book, Kenward hasprovided a scholarlyreview of studyplanning, availableequipment,tag-attachment methods, and data-collectiontechniquesin an informativeand timelytext.Assuredly,anyoneembarkingona radiotracking study, particularly first-time telemetry users,would benefitfrom Kenward'skeeninsightand cogentrecommendations. This book updatesKenward'sWildlifeRadioTagging: Equipment,Field Techniques and Data Analysis

July2001]

Reviews

publishedin 1987. Chapters5 (Making Tags),7 (Radio Tracking), and portions of other chapterswere retained and modified from the original edition. However, this update contains several new additions:-70% more text contributingto 10 chaptersin total, a detailed glossary,a thoroughliterature cited section containing >600 historical and contemporary references,ample figures, and appendicesindexing equipment suppliers and software vendors. Of particular interestto ornithologists,there are several examplesof fitting tagsto and collectingdata on birds. As with the original edition, this book is intended to provide guidanceto first-time telemetry usersfor choosingequipmentand collectingand analyzing radio-trackingdata. This book successfully accomplishesmany of thoseaims. Chapter i begins at a rudimentary level with an instructive discussionon whether radio tagging is the bestapproachto answerquestionsposedin your study. This chapter challengesresearchersto improve the biologicalquestionsthey ask and to more carefully plan their study to answerthosequestions, as well as to better train thoseinvolvedin telemetry research. As Kenward stresses,a good telemetry study requires more than attaching radio tags to a few animalsand following them aroundhaphazardly. He describesfour stagesto plan a radio tracking study: obtaining equipment, successfullytagging the animal, collectingsatisfactorydata, and analyzing those data. By posing a seriesof questions,Kenward helpsyou determinewhether radio taggingis right for your project.Although more experienced usersmay be aware of many of theseissues,the sensible recommendationsmade by Kenward are ideal for someonebeginning their first radio-tracking study. A review of basicVHF transmittingand receiving equipmentis the topicof Chapter2. As donethroughout the book, a historicalcontextis provided so the reader has a feel for how the field has developed.In addition to frequencyselectionand allocation,thereis a succinctand thoroughreview of receivers,antennas, and transmitters. Kenward provides a detailed descriptionof VHF receiversavailable,includingspecific modelsand their capabilities,prices,and modeof operation.This is an especiallybalancedreview of current options,and anyoneconsideringbuying a VHF receiver may be surprised at the advancementsand new capabilitiesavailable.Practicaladvice and comparisonsof different antennadesignsare presented in a way that even a novice reader will be able to select the most appropriate portable antenna for their study. General advice on transmitter construction and waysto optimize tag rangeand tag life through useof microcontrollersand power sourcesis offered. Sensorsavailableto indicate posture,activity, moisture, and a host of important processesround out Chapter 2.

813

One of the mostimportantrecenttechnologicaldevelopmentsin radio tagging has been increaseduse of satellitetrackingand GPStags.In Chapter3, general principles,advantages,and disadvantagesof automated systemsare described,along with cost,size, and potential uses of those technologies.Groundbasedstations,capableof recordingpresenceor absenceand azimuths to estimatelocationsby triangulation are adequately described. Those sections arewell referencedsoa readercanlocatethe original literature

for additional

information.

There is useful

advice for evaluating those automated systems,especially in light of biologicalquestionsposed. Any first-timebuyer of radio trackingequipment must read the first four pagesof Chapter 4. Contained here are detailed, useful tips on selecting equipment and manufacturersto suit your needs. Kenward also reminds us to selectanalytical software at the outset,which maybe a dauntingtask.For example,I am awareof at least25 softwarepackages (includingPC and MAC operatingsystems)that will conducthome range analysesalone! Certainly waiting until the end of one'sresearchproject to select software is not a good idea. Using the RANGES V software suite (Kenward and Hodder 1996) as a model, Kenward demonstrateshow to prepare telemetry data for analysis.Options for obtainingdigital mapsand a review of the relativeadvantagesand drawbackswith variousformatsare provided at the end of Chapter 4. in keeping with the old adage "you don't have to know how to build a clock to tell time," you don't have to know how to build a radio tag to use one. However,Chapter 5 providesexplicit details on tag componentsand construction.Although most of us will neverbuild our own radio tags,this sectiondoes provide valuableinformationfor thosepurchasing manufacturedequipment. For example, the request for new super-elasticnickel-titaniumalloy wire as a whip antenna on small bird, bat, and reptile radio tags is bound to gain you respectfrom that transmitter manufacturer! For those ambitious types, Kenward coversthe constructionof eight different radio tags that could be modified to fit a variety of species. Tag designs include glue-on, tail-mount, back-pack,implant, necklace,and collar devices.He provides detailed descriptions of tag construction while avoidingunnecessary jargon.Thischapteralso would be helpful to anyone interested in refurbishing radio tags. Chapter 6 providesa thoroughand thoughtful accountof tag attachmenttechniquesand the possible effectsof transmitterson animals. I applaud Kenward for making this a significant section in the book. In any radio tagging study,we assumethat radio-tagged animals behave, function, and survive similarly to animals without tags. it would be difficult to overstatethe importanceof that assumption. Many useful referencesare provided, and will assist

814

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the reader in identifying literature pertaining to their study. Here, Kenward provides helpful guidanceon placingradio tagson animalsusingglue-on, harnesses,tail mounts, necklaces,collars,implant, and ingestedtags. Careful considerationis paid to animal welfare, appropriate fit, and the merits of each attachmenttechnique.Ornithologistswill particularly appreciatehis thoroughnessin describing harnessand tail-mount attachmenttechniques. How to radio-track tagged animals is the subject of Chapter 7. Here, basicinformationon radio wave behavior, taking bearings, and estimating tag distanceand positionare describedin great detail. Kenward effectivelyunderscores the point that practice is necessaryto efficiently use tracking equipment. For beginners, advice on selecting triangulation sites, overcomingtracking problemsin obstructed country,and locating lost signalsis informative and worthwhile. Throughout this chapter, Kenward's >25 years of experiencewith radio-tracking techniquesis evident.A discussion of motorizedtracking from a vehicleor aircraft completesthis chapter.Illustrativefigureswill help the readerdeterminehow to affix antennason airplanesor vehicles. In Chapter 8, Kenward describesdata collection methods.After a brief descriptionof radio surveillancetechniques,thereis a discussion of experimental designissuesrelated to VHF radio tags. As discussed, a researcher must either collect continuous

data or point data at specifiedintervals;the choiceis relatedto the statedobjectivesof thestudy.Thisraises the issueof autocorrelationin point observations (Swihart and Slade1997);an issuewith a 15-yearhistory. in a constructivemanner, Kenward describes someproblemsthat may arise by strict adherenceto the temporal-independence assumption.This section will certainly help people evaluatethe implications of violating that assumption.Techniquesto minimize error and bias, suchas team tracking and minimizing time between successiveazimuths, are drawn into a discussionof locationaccuracy.However, for thoseinterestedin testingand calibratinga radio trackingsystem,the work of White and Garrott (1990) is a more appropriatereference.Very appropriately, Kenward emphasizesthe need for pilot studies and systematicsampling, themesextended in other chapters. The last two chaptersdescribeanalysisof radiotrackingdata. Specifically, Chapter9 describesanalysis of daily and seasonalmovements,with an emphasis on home-range analysis. A strength of this chapteris the attentiongivento the virtuesof various home-range estimators. Mathematical expressions are provided, although Kenward reminds readers twice that those equationscan be ignored. Personally, I encouragethe reader to review the mathematical notationto understandexactlywhat thoseestimators are doing. You might be surprised how the home-rangeestimatefor your study animal is actu-

[Auk, Vol. 118

ally computed!This recommendationis extendedto software; knowing exactly what analytical options your software package incorporates is essential when comparingyour resultsto others.Also notable is a seriesof illustrativefiguresthat help to demonstratehow featuressuchas grid cell size,grid placement, and outliers ultimately influencehome-range estimates. Appropriately, this chapter concludes with a summary discussionon choosingestimators and includes

a classification

scheme of six common

home-rangeestimators. Chapter 10 describestechniquesfor analyzingdemographics(e.g.densityand survivalestimation),resourceselection,and socialinteractionamongspecies. The chapterbeginswith brief descriptionsof direct populationestimation,density estimationcorrection, and enhancementsto line-transecttechniquesusing radio-taggedanimals.A minor criticismis that some important assumptionsand developmentsin populationestimationusingradio tags,suchassightability models (Rivest et al. 1998), were not included. Fol-

lowing thosesummaries,survival analysisis examined. Although this review is not exhaustive,it does provide a startingpoint for more in-depthaccounts. Unfortunately, only six pages are devoted to resourceselectionanalyses.Admittedly, entire books havebeenwritten on the subject(Manly et al. 1993) and an exhaustive review would be much to ask, but there is an unbalanced

discussion

of available

tech-

niques.Forexample,thereis no discussionof Euclidean distances,discretechoicemodeling, or logistic regression.Kenwarddoes,however,effectivelypoint out that

individual

locations

should

not be consid-

ered the experimentalunit and he describes a couple of interesting,yet not commonlyusedanalyses(e.g. habitat dependenceanalysis).The chapterconcludes with a brief discussionon socialinteractionanalyses. In addition

to the extensive

literature

cited section

and a functional glossary,two appendicescomplete the book. The first provides addressesand contact information for suppliers of telemetry hardware, completewith addresses,e-mail addresses,phone numbers, and web-sites.The concludingappendix provides some sourcesfor radio tracking software, generalpurposeGIS vendors,sourcesof map data, and pertinent web sites. In summary,this book representsan important resourcefor anyoneconductingor supervisinga radiotagging study and is a must-readfor first-timeusers of telemetry.I recommendit without hesitationto all researchersand students interested in study planning, telemetry equipment, tag attachmentprocedures, and how to collect data from radio-tagged wildlife. The book shouldbe in every universitylibrary. It containsa wealthof practicaland usefuladvice in a clearand readableformatfrom which everyone can learn.--JOSHUAJ. MILLSPAUGH, Departmentof Fisheries andWildlifeSciences, University ofMissouri,302

July2001]

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815

Anheuser-Busch Natural Resources Building,Columbia, zoogeographical entity within which can be found Missouri65211,USA.E-maihmillspaughj@missouri. edu most of the European bird species.... "Names in Finnish, Estonian, and Hungarian are omitted becausethey are not Indo-Europeanlanguages.Names LITERATURE CITED from languageswritten with different alphabetcharKENWARD,R. E. 1987. Wildlife Radio Tagging: acters, such as Cyrillic, Hebrew, and Greek, are with Roman characters. Equipment,Field Techniquesand Data Analysis. transliterated Academic Press, London. The first volume proceedsspeciesby species,with KENWARD, R. E., AND K. H. HODDER. 1996. RANGES eachaccountconsistingof a list of names,givenlanV. An Analysis System for BiologicalLocation guage by language,arranged in a geographicalseData. Institute of TerrestrialEcology,Wareham, quence more or less from the northwest (British Isles) to the south and east. All names that the author United Kingdom. MANLY, B. E J., L. L. MCDONALD, AND D. L. THOMAS. could discoverare presentedalongwith information 1993. ResourceSelectionby Animals: Statistical on the countiesor provincesin which eachname,no Designand Analysisof Field Studies.Chapman matter how local, is used. The amount of detail is and Hall, London. staggering.The section on names for the Magpie RIVEST, L. P., S. COUTURIER,AND H. CREPEAU.1998. (Picapica),for example,comprises13 pages,of which Statisticalmethodsfor estimatingcaribouabun- more than 6 deal only with namesused in Germany. dance using postcalving aggregationsdetected Being Swiss, with an interest in etymology,Desby radio telemetry.Biometrics54:865-876. fayes naturally has several languagesat his comSWIHART,R. K., AND N. A. SLADE.1997. On testing mand and haswritten his bookusingmorethan one. for independenceof animal movements.Journal In the species accounts,explanatory remarks are of Agricultural, Biological,and Environmental generally in French,exceptfor namesfrom the BritStatistics 2:48-63. ish Isles, for which English is used. Remarks about WHITE,G. C., AND R. A. GARROTT. 1990.Analysis of German names seem to be in either German or EnWildlife Radio-tracking Data. Academic Press, glish. Definitions in Volume Two may be in either San Diego, California. Englishor French.Anyonewho is linguisticallychallengedwould have considerabledifficulty using this work, but would have little need for it in any case. The second volume is less easily characterized. About two-thirds of it consistsof what Desfayesrefers to ashis "paradigms" (Appendices3-14). Here, namesor the words used in names, along with various cognates(or perhaps pseudocognates),are arThe Auk 118(3):815-816, 2001 ranged accordingto qualities, somewhatin the manner of the familiar Roget's Thesaurusof English A Thesaurus of Bird Names: Etymology of Eu- words. The major groupingsinclude terms of chroropean Lexis Through Paradigms--Michel Desfay- matic origin (e.g. red, dark, spotted),morphological es. 1998. Muse• Cantonal d'Histoire Naturelie, Sion, (e.g. tall, tufted, swollen),acoustic(mostlyonomatoSwitzerland. Two volumes,1240 + 1288 pages,CD- poetic), kinetic (e.g. fly, wag, dive), and others. ROM. ISBN 2-88426-021-8. $476 for the set or each The ultimate subheadings are combinations of componentcan be purchasedseparately(Volume 1, soundsused in words that DesfayesidentifiesasbeCloth, $238.00; Volume 2, Cloth, $251.00; CD-ROM, ing related to a given quality. Thus, section3.2.54.2 $338.00).--This monumental work deals not with is a list of words that contain the sounds"r-p" and scientific names or "Linnaean" nomenclature, but mean "red", including the Greek, Latin, English, with names for birds that exist in other than the sciCzech and other words for turnip (rapys,rapa,rape, entific idiom--the so-called "common" or "folk" repka).The list alsocontainsa Russianword for mennamesfor birds. The first volume is a compilationof strues(repaki),Serbo-Croatian,Polish,Ukranian and such names for all of the speciesof European and other words for linnet, robin, and whinchat (repka, Middle Easternbirds, plus a few othersthat are al- rzepoluch, repel,repalsic),and a Frenchword for the most universallyknown, suchas the domesticfowl carunclesof a turkey (roupie),amongothers. (Gallusgallus)and the Ostrich (Struthiocamelus). UnThere are fascinatingdiversionsto be encountered fortunately,the introductorymaterial doesnot clear- here. For example,we learn that the traditional (and ly state or list which languages are included, but believable)derivation of "belladonna" is folk etymost of them appear in the list of abbreviations. mology,and that "mayonnaise,"accordingto DesNames for birds have been soughtin Indo-European fayes,is relatedto wordsmeaningfleckedor spotted, languagesincluding "Iranian, Caucasian,and Ham~ and is not derived from the siegeof Port Mah6n, Miito-Semiticlanguages"because"the areacoveredby norca, as given in many etymologies. These parathese languages includes the Palaearcticregion, a digmswill be of asmuchinterestto philologistsand