Data on Blood Analytes and Post-Release Survival in Spectacled Eiders (Somateria fischeri), Northern Alaska, 2010-2011

Between 2010 and 2011, we implanted satellite transmitters in spectacled eiders to study non-breeding spatiotemporal distribution and habitat use (Petersen et al 2020). We used vertical mist nets to capture adult eiders during spring in June, and adult females and juveniles during late brood rearing in August. We used bow traps and horizontal mist nets to capture adult females on nests within 1 week of hatch in July. We transported individual eiders or entire broods to a surgery site on foot or by boat or helicopter.

We used a lithium heparin-treated needle and syringe to collect 5–7 ml (approx. 0.5% body weight) of blood from the jugular vein prior to surgical implantation of a satellite transmitter in each eider. We immediately analyzed blood using a handheld blood-gas analyzer (i-STAT1, Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, IL) and CG8þ cartridge to measure the following analytes: sodium (Na; mmol/L), potassium (K; mmol/L), ionized calcium (iCa; mmol/L), glucose (GLC; mg/dl), hematocrit (HCT; % packed cell volume), and pH. We also used the i-STAT1 analyzer to measure partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2; mm Hg), bicarbonate (HCO3; mmol/L), and the excess or deficit of base in blood (BE; mmol/L), although we did not include these analytes as covariates in our analysis of immediate postrelease survival. Concurrently, we used a portable analyzer (Accutrend1 Lactate, Roche, Mannheim, Germany) to measure venous lactate (LAC; mmol/L).

We followed manufacturer’s instructions for both analyzers throughout use. We used molecular techniques (Griffiths et al. 1998) to determine the sex of each juvenile eider.