A TECHNIQUE FOR INDIVIDUALLY IDENTIFYING TARANTULAS USING PASSIVE INTEGRATED TRANSPONDERS

Abstract

A surgical technique for implanting passive integrated transponders into theraphosid spiders is described. An effecitve procedure for anesthesia was developed. Transponders were implanted in the opisthosomas of 12 spiders. No mortality occurred, and all spiders regained normal behavior. In simulated burrows, tarantulas could be identified to a depth of 16 cm.