Ebner, Brendan C., Lintermans, Mark, Jekabsons, Mark, and Dunford, Mark (2010) Convoluted shorelines confound diel-range estimates of radio-tracked fish. Marine and Freshwater Research, 61 (12). pp. 1360-1365.

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Abstract

Understanding the spatial ecology of animals is an important part of conserving biodiversity. In this context, manual radio-tracking is a primary means for understanding the movement of freshwater fish. Our aim was to determine the suitability of using linear or area-based estimates to quantify diel use of space by Macquarie perch, Macquaria australasica (Percichthyidae), in a reservoir. Area-based estimates were calculated as minimum convex polygons (MCPs). Four-hourly radio-tracking of 23 adults within diel periods resulted in 136 pairs of linear and area-based estimates. We encountered problems with MCPs that were not associated with outlying radio-fixes. MCPs were more likely to overlap with land as the extent of an individual's range increased. Corrections were applied to account for land intersecting with MCPs (33.1% of cases); however, underestimates of diel range occurred in most of these cases. MCPs were also small despite substantial movement along one dimension if individuals occupied only straight-edged sections of the reservoir and did not traverse bays or peninsulas (8.1% of estimates). Mean (+/- s.e.) diel-range length was 516 +/- 89m (n = 23) and records varied from 6 to 1972 m. In waterways with convoluted shorelines, linear estimates of diel range are more reliable than area-based estimates derived from manual radio-tracking.

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