Bio-logging and navigation of marine animals

Abstract

Bio-logging, i.e., the use of animal-borne sensors such as acceleration, GPS, electroencephalogram, and video camera, allows researchers to measure the behavioral and physiological data of animals as well as the variables of the environments in which the animals move. The derived animal-borne data, coupled with statistical modeling, can be used to understand ecologically significant phenomena, such as the navigation strategies of animals, across multiple spatiotemporal scales. For example, streaked shearwaters (Calonectris leucomelas) have evolved the ability to locate their home far away from the colony and adjust the onset time of their homeward journeys according to the distance to the home. We discuss the current trends and limitations in bio-logging science and propose future directions for integrating bio-logging with engineering, robot technology, and data science.