We want to mark boatmen (Corixidae) to study how individuals move within a pond. We have evidence that they move very little. We tried permanent markers but they can rub anywhere on their body with their legs, and they quickly rub off the mark. Does anyone have any suggestions about a suitable method?
Hi Andy,
Perhaps painting a code on their body using liquid paper mark (Tippex) is suitable for a short term survey...
Hope these references are useful:
1. Holland, J. M., & Smith, S. (1999). Sampling epigeal arthropods: an evaluation of fenced pitfall traps using mark‐release‐recapture and comparisons to unfenced pitfall traps in arable crops. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata, 91(2), 347-357.
2. Telford, S. R., & Dangerfield, J. M. (1993). Mating tactics in the tropical millipede Alloporus uncinatus (Diplopoda: Spirostreptidae). Behaviour, 124(1), 45-56.
Bee keepers use very small colour coded and numbered shield that can be glued on a queen bee's thorax. I don't know if the glue holds in water, but you can try super glue.
I successfully used tiny laser-printed numbered paper labels attached with superglue to track Notonecta dispersal (mark-recapture) a number of years ago.
Maybe you can use some waterproof nail polish with a system of code based on color or point number. We use it sometime on crayfish. The critical point is the drying timelapse.
Hi
We used, for crayfish, underwater markers such as the ones made by Dykem. However this may not solve your problem if the animal can rub the off the mark very quickly. If you try this solution, be aware that some of the marker models have hard tips making very difficult the direct use of the marker on the insect. If you need a reference for this method you can check:
Ramalho, R. O., McClain, W. R., & Anastácio, P. M. (2010). An effective and simple method of temporarily marking crayfish. Freshwater Crayfish, 17(1), 57-60.
good luck
Pedro
Hi Andy.
We have used bee marking varnish (Marca Regina LegaTM, Faenza, Italy) to mark ostracods in a lab experimental setting (as also suggested by Frank). Also "Tippex" for crayfishes. as Carlos suggested.
You can check the ostracod experiment here:
Schmit, O., Martens, K. and Mesquita-Joanes, F. (2012). Vulnerability of sexual and asexual Eucypris virens (Crustacea, Ostracoda) to predation: an experimental approach with dragonfly naiads. Fundamental and Applied Limnology, 181(3): 207–214. DOI: 10.1127/1863-9135/2012/0351
good luck!
Hi Andy, the main problem to mark corixids is its size and fragility and mark persistence. As you know, most of them are very small and with relatively soft body. Long time ago, we tried several markers, including many who have commented other researchers. I remember to try with Typex, but using a fine brush (some specialty paint stores have it) or resistant markers to alcohol and/or water (Edding of fine tip) could be used for a quick marking, always taking carefully the exemplar. Anyway, my experience is that in most cases marks ended up falling. Good luck ....
I used injectable VI alphanumeric tags with crayfish - they are not cheap (about 40 cents from American company 'NorthWest Marine Technology') but as you can inject them (so need a clear part of the body that they can be viewed in - ventral surface?). Or you could buy some tags and stick them onto the carapace? good luck and enjoy!
Hi Andy,
I found my wife's nail varnish (alarming pink & highly visible) to work well with corixids. They don't seem to suffer any ill effects from the solvent & it lasts a long time. I used it in lab studies of prey-selection involving notonectids. The predators weren't put off either (in fact, a major flaw in the study was the likelihood of attracting a visual-based predator with a shocking pink marker on the prey).
Cheers,
Richard
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