Instrument: tracking tag

Dataset: 
Instrument: 
Instrument Short Name:
Instrument Description:

Devices attached to living organisms with the purpose of determining the location of those organisms as a function of time after tagging and release.

PI supplied instrument name: Biomark 601 PIT tag reader
Dataset-specific description

Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tags help scientists track individual organisms by providing a reliable lifetime 'barcode' for an individual animal. PIT tags are dormant until activated; they therefore do not require any internal source of power throughout their lifespan.To activate the tag, a low-frequency radio signal is emitted by a scanning device that generates a close-range electromagnetic field. The tag then sends a unique alpha-numeric code back to the reader (Keck 1994). Scanners are available as handheld, portable, battery-powered models and as stationary, automated models that are usually used for automated scanning.