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Abstract

We evaluated the effect of passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags on feeding, growth,
movement and survival of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis in field and laboratory
experiments. In cages supplied with kelp, 80% of urchins (n = 74) retained their tag during an 80 d
field experiment. At the end of the experiment, tagged individuals had a lower growth rate (by 42%),
lower gonad index (by 23%), lower survival rate (by 30%), and took longer to right themselves (by
30%) than untagged control urchins. In a 24 h feeding experiment in the field, the consumption rate
of kelp was lower for tagged urchins (by 67%) than for untagged controls. In release and recapture
experiments in the field, tagged urchins moved shorter distances over 2.5 h (by 30%) than controls.
Although PIT tagging had a detrimental effect on all measures of sea urchin performance, activity
and survival in the field, there was no detectable effect of PIT tagging on urchin feeding rate or survival
in a 10 wk laboratory experiment. Our results suggest that natural stressors, such as wave
action, may limit the utility of PIT tags in field studies of urchins.

Item Type:	Article
Authors/Creators:	Lauzon-Guay, JS and Scheibling, RE
Keywords:	Feeding · Growth · Movement · Survival · Passive integrated transponder tags · Reproduction · Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis · Sea urchins
Journal or Publication Title:	Aquatic Biology
ISSN:	1864-7782
DOI / ID Number:	https://doi.org/10.3354/ab00040
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