Best approach for turtle survival analysis
Looking for advice on the best approach for modelling juvenile turtle survival in population where headstarted turtles are released every year. I am looking to use r-MARK.
We have radiotelemetry data and some opportunistic sighting and trapping data:
-For radiotelemetry, turtles are typically tracked weekly from May to October. Turtles can be confirmed alive, dead, or status may be unknown (either the turtle was pinpointed within ~3m but not seen, or a signal on the turtle could not be detected by radiotelemetry). We do have a number of cases where transmitters have fallen off. Typically, we try to capture turtles once a month and so status is likely confirmed within this timeframe. In November and April, turtles are tracked ~bi-weekly and from December to March, turtles are tracked about once a month, but the status is always unknown (turtles are brumating). We could assume survival probability would change over the course of the year, with turtles being most vulnerable when they are first released and likely remaining alive through the winter once they are brumating.
-If we see a turtle while we are in the field for radiotelemetry or trapping surveys, we will capture and record the sighting.
-Trapping efforts have occurred in some years but this has varied across years.
-Every year, new individuals are added to the population.
-Emigration from the study area is unlikely.
Any advice on best methods for what type of model would be most appropriate for these data are much appreciated!
We have radiotelemetry data and some opportunistic sighting and trapping data:
-For radiotelemetry, turtles are typically tracked weekly from May to October. Turtles can be confirmed alive, dead, or status may be unknown (either the turtle was pinpointed within ~3m but not seen, or a signal on the turtle could not be detected by radiotelemetry). We do have a number of cases where transmitters have fallen off. Typically, we try to capture turtles once a month and so status is likely confirmed within this timeframe. In November and April, turtles are tracked ~bi-weekly and from December to March, turtles are tracked about once a month, but the status is always unknown (turtles are brumating). We could assume survival probability would change over the course of the year, with turtles being most vulnerable when they are first released and likely remaining alive through the winter once they are brumating.
-If we see a turtle while we are in the field for radiotelemetry or trapping surveys, we will capture and record the sighting.
-Trapping efforts have occurred in some years but this has varied across years.
-Every year, new individuals are added to the population.
-Emigration from the study area is unlikely.
Any advice on best methods for what type of model would be most appropriate for these data are much appreciated!