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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Sarah,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">The best method I have found for long-term storage of C&S material would definitely be either 100% glycerin or 70% Glycerin/30% Ethanol mixtures with a few
thymol crystals in each jar/tray. I have not heard anything (in the literature or by word of mouth) to suggest thymol is harmful to the specimens in anyway. The only downside to using it is that it has a high residency time in aqueous environments. Make sure
it NEVER goes down the sink, and that it is properly handled by your EH&S.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">As for your older specimens placing them in increasing concentrations of glycerin over a few days should do the trick. You can even try a Glycerin/Ethanol mixture
to facilitate the process.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Please feel free to email me personally for any other information,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Randy<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><img width="485" height="253" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.jpg@01CFBB9D.76E8EDB0" alt="RAS Signature"></span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif""> nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu [mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu]
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Sarah K. Huber<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, August 19, 2014 10:53 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [Nhcoll-l] Long-term Storage of Cleared and Stained Specimens<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black">I am curious to hear what people think is the best long-term storage medium for cleared and stained specimens (in our case fishes). I have seen recommendations for glycerin in concentrations
ranging from 100-70%, and dilutions with water, ethanol, or KOH. I have also seen arguments for and against the addition of thymol. However, since our collection has had mold outbreaks in the past, any long term storage medium we use must have some kind of
additive to prevent molding. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black">In addition, I have come across some older cleared and stained specimens that were transferred to 70% ethanol at some point in the distant past. Is it recommended to keep these
specimens in ethanol or to try and move them back into glycerin?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black">Thanks in advance,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black">Sarah<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black"><br>
</span><span style="font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black">Sarah K. Huber, Ph.D.</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black"><br>
Research Assistant Professor of Biology and Marine Science<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:black">Collection Manager, VIMS Ichthyology Collection<br>
804.684.7104 | Collection 804.684.7285<br>
<a href="mailto:skhuber@vims.edu">skhuber@vims.edu</a> | <a href="http://www.vims.edu">
www.vims.edu</a><br>
PO Box 1346 | Rt. 1208 Greate Rd., Gloucester Pt., VA 23062<br>
<br>
<img border="0" width="225" height="62" id="_x0000_i1025" src="http://www.vims.edu/intranet/communications/pubs/_images/thumbs/new_vims_logo_200.jpg" alt="VimsLogo"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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