[Nhcoll-l] Techniques for taking toe pad samples?

[Cassidy, Kelly Michela]

Thank you. I generally don’t have issues taking skin clips. It’s the toe pads that are a challenge to sample without putting stress on the study skin. I received another request for toe pads (on kingfishers) this morning. Maybe some sort of tiny nippers would work better than a scalpel?

Dr. Kelly M. Cassidy, Curator, Conner Museum
School of Biological Sciences
Box 644236
Washington State University
Pullman, WA 99164-4236
509-335-3515

From: Pepijn Kamminga <pepijn.kamminga at naturalis.nl>
Sent: Wednesday, January 20, 2021 6:35 AM
To: Cassidy, Kelly Michela <cassidyk at wsu.edu>
Cc: nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Techniques for taking toe pad samples?

Dear dr. Cassidy,

Similar requests are made for the bird and mammal collection of Naturalis Biodiversity Center, the Netherlands. Bird skins often have small flaps of skin that can be cut with fresh scalpel blades. For me it helps to apply some counterpressure, but the blade should do the cutting, so I don't apply too much force. As for mammals I prefer to use specimens stored on alcohol, I make a small incision in the ventral side of the skin and take a sample of the breast muscle. Mammalian toepads I find difficult in general. If the requested specimen is a skin, cutting a piece of tissue along the seam can also do the trick. I hope this is of any help to you.

Met vriendelijke groet /  Kind regards,

Pepijn Kamminga
Senior Collection Manager Birds & Mammals
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Op di 19 jan. 2021 om 19:27 schreef Cassidy, Kelly Michela <cassidyk at wsu.edu<mailto:cassidyk at wsu.edu>>:
I am getting more frequent requests for toe pad samples for DNA sequencing, instead of skin clips.

I find it difficult to take these samples without putting stress on the prepared skin. The toe pads are tough and leathery. Scalpels don’t cut into them very easily, if at all. The most recent request is for a sample from a vole, which has small feet.

Are there any techniques or recommended tools to help minimize stress and possible damage to skins when taking toe pad samples?

Dr. Kelly M. Cassidy, Curator, Conner Museum
School of Biological Sciences
Box 644236
Washington State University
Pullman, WA 99164-4236
509-335-3515

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