Thinking small: Next-generation sensor networks close the size gap in vertebrate biologging

PLoS Biol. 2020 Apr 2;18(4):e3000655. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000655. eCollection 2020 Apr.

Abstract

Recent advances in animal tracking technology have ushered in a new era in biologging. However, the considerable size of many sophisticated biologging devices restricts their application to larger animals, whereas older techniques often still represent the state-of-the-art for studying small vertebrates. In industrial applications, low-power wireless sensor networks (WSNs) fulfill requirements similar to those needed to monitor animal behavior at high resolution and at low tag mass. We developed a wireless biologging network (WBN), which enables simultaneous direct proximity sensing, high-resolution tracking, and long-range remote data download at tag masses of 1 to 2 g. Deployments to study wild bats created social networks and flight trajectories of unprecedented quality. Our developments highlight the vast capabilities of WBNs and their potential to close an important gap in biologging: fully automated tracking and proximity sensing of small animals, even in closed habitats, at high spatial and temporal resolution.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal
  • Chiroptera* / physiology
  • Ecosystem
  • Electric Power Supplies
  • Environmental Monitoring / instrumentation
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods*
  • Female
  • Germany
  • Male
  • Panama
  • Remote Sensing Technology / methods*
  • Social Behavior
  • Spatio-Temporal Analysis
  • Tropical Climate
  • Vertebrates
  • Wireless Technology*

Grants and funding

This study was funded by grants of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (FM, AK, RW, RK, KMW, WSP, JT, JR, FD; https://www.dfg.de/) within the research unit FOR-1508, a Smithsonian Scholarly Studies Awards grant (RAP, GGC, SPR, FM; https://www.si.edu/), and a National Geographic Society Research Grant WW-057R-17 (GGC; https://www.nationalgeographic.com/). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.