An automated radiotelemetry system (ARTS) for monitoring small mammals

The study of animals in nature is essential for developing an ecologically valid understanding behaviour. Small mammals, however, are often fossorial and exceedingly difficult to monitor the wild. This limits both taxonomic scope field observation, excludes species that powerful models behavioural mechanisms. Here, we implement automated radiotelemetry system (ARTS) designed track small mammals. Our ARTS uses isotropic antenna array coupled with broadband receivers. We characterized transmission at our site tested ARTS’s ability 48 prairie voles. compared position estimates from nonlinear least squares, nonparametric Bayesian trilateration methods found have smallest error. To examine biologically significant behaviour, used data investigate circadian rhythms freely behaving Lomb–Scargle analysis estimate periodic patterns irregularly sampled time series. Prairie voles demonstrated ultradian movement. offers a new tool observe rodent behaviour time-scales environments not been previously possible, such as investigating social spatial behaviours on scale minutes, hours days natural environments.