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<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Dear Sonia,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Dries sums it up neatly and I would add that I have
used 80%IMS (with methanol in it, never with MEK as an adulterant as the EU is
saying!) and which worked well for gorgonian and other octocorals, and
it was cheaper (for UK) than ethanol.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>With all good wishes, Simon</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Simon Moore RScI, MIScT, FLS, ACR,<BR>Conservator of Natural Sciences and
Cutlery Historian,</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> <A
href="http://www.natural-history-conservation.com">www.natural-history-conservation.com</A>
<BR><A
href="http://www.pocket-fruit-knives.info">www.pocket-fruit-knives.info</A>
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><A
href="http://uk.linkedin.com/in/naturalsciencespecimenconserve">http://uk.linkedin.com/in/naturalsciencespecimenconserve</A></DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT: 10pt arial; BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=soniajrowley@gmail.com href="mailto:soniajrowley@gmail.com">Sonia
Rowley</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu
href="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, July 29, 2014 9:31
AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> [Nhcoll-l] 95% vs. ~70%
EtOH?</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr>Dear List
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>I am writing with regards any experience and evidence for and against the
use of 95% or ~70% EtOH for longterm invertebrate (specifically gorgonian
coral) specimen preservation for collections. More and more institutions seem
to be turning to 95% EtOH, however, there are numerous conflicting thoughts
and evidence with regards the use of higher concentrations for longterm
specimen storage. Furthermore, I understand that there are 2 types of high
EtOH concentration; clean and dirty with the latter being far cheaper but
unsuitable for genetic analyses. </DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>Whilst collections are indeed a taxonomic concern, this does include the
use of molecular work as part of the suite of tools in determining species
differences. The collections I have worked in using ~95% EtOH have had good
success with both storage and genetic work, but these specimens may often be a
maximum of 1 - 2 decades old. Conversely, others mention caveats such as the
high concentration dehydrating the specimen to such an extent that it disrupts
the integrity of both specimen and DNA. At the same time the often high water
content of specimens is said to bring down the EtOH concentration which may
also cause issues with specimen degradation. </DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>Please excuse the somewhat rudimentary nature of my question, there does
seem a tremendous amount of confliction in what is recommend and therefore it
would be really valuable to hear what people have to say and recommend from
the list. </DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>Thank you for your time with this matter and look forward to hearing any
responses </DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>Sonia</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>-- <BR>
<DIV dir=ltr>Sonia J. Rowley PhD<BR>
<DIV>Research Affiliate</DIV>
<DIV>Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum</DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 16px; BORDER-COLLAPSE: separate">1525 Bernice
St, </SPAN><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 16px; BORDER-COLLAPSE: separate">Honolulu, </SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 16px; BORDER-COLLAPSE: separate">HI
96817,</SPAN><SPAN style="LINE-HEIGHT: 12px; BORDER-COLLAPSE: separate"><FONT
color=#e8e8e8 face=franklin-gothic-urw>,</FONT></SPAN>USA</DIV>
<DIV>+1 808 348 6224<BR></DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>Research Affiliate<BR>University of Hawai'i at Manoa<SPAN><BR><FONT
size=+0>2538 McCarthy Mall, Edmondson 312</FONT></SPAN><FONT
size=+0> </FONT>
<DIV>Honolulu, HI 96822</DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV>
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