Intracoelomic Implantation of Transmitters in Longnose Gar

Abstract Fish in the family Lepisosteidae (hereafter, gars) have unique ganoid scales that pose inherent challenges to implanting electronic tags in their coeloms for telemetry studies. In this paper we outline a unique approach to conducting laparotomic surgery in gars, with a focus on the Longnose Gar Lepisosteus osseus . An electric rotary tool with a circular cutting blade was used to cut through the scales, and the same tool, with a drill …