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<div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">Very interesting and comprehensive accounts of alcohol use. Perhaps covered in Simmon's book, but in the USA, 1950s-1970s at least, considerable use of isopropyl alcohol occurred with fish collections often having jars of both and intentional and inadvertent mixing and/or replacement of one with the other. Usually dispensing with the isopropyl and replacing with ethanol. Even collections sticking with ethanol could be faced with taking on orphaned collections in ispropyl so it is something to be dealt with. I believe since the adverse effects on histology and DNA by isopropyl came to light few if any collections still use isopropyl but it is a strong historical presence in some collections even if just as a residual. Camm Swift</div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br></div>
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On Wednesday, May 12, 2021, 12:37:23 AM EDT, nhcoll-l-request@mailman.yale.edu <nhcoll-l-request@mailman.yale.edu> wrote:
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<div><div dir="ltr">Send Nhcoll-l mailing list submissions to<br></div><div dir="ltr"> <a ymailto="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit<br></div><div dir="ltr"> <a href="https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l" target="_blank">https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to<br></div><div dir="ltr"> <a ymailto="mailto:nhcoll-l-request@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:nhcoll-l-request@mailman.yale.edu">nhcoll-l-request@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">You can reach the person managing the list at<br></div><div dir="ltr"> <a ymailto="mailto:nhcoll-l-owner@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:nhcoll-l-owner@mailman.yale.edu">nhcoll-l-owner@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific<br></div><div dir="ltr">than "Re: Contents of Nhcoll-l digest..."<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Today's Topics:<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"> 1. Re: Alcohol concentration for terrestrial vertebrates<br></div><div dir="ltr"> (Simon Moore)<br></div><div dir="ltr"> 2. Re: Alcohol concentration for terrestrial vertebrates<br></div><div dir="ltr"> (Mare Nazaire)<br></div><div dir="ltr"> 3. Re: Alcohol concentration for terrestrial vertebrates<br></div><div dir="ltr"> (John E Simmons)<br></div><div dir="ltr"> 4. Re: Alcohol concentration for terrestrial vertebrates<br></div><div dir="ltr"> (Mare Nazaire)<br></div><div dir="ltr"> 5. Re: Alcohol concentration for terrestrial vertebrates<br></div><div dir="ltr"> (John E Simmons)<br></div><div dir="ltr"> 6. Re: Alcohol concentration for terrestrial vertebrates<br></div><div dir="ltr"> (Simon Moore)<br></div><div dir="ltr"> 7. Re: Alcohol concentration for terrestrial vertebrates<br></div><div dir="ltr"> (Dirk Neumann)<br></div><div dir="ltr"> 8. AIBS Writing for Impact and Influence Online Course: Register<br></div><div dir="ltr"> Now (Jyotsna Pandey)<br></div><div dir="ltr"> 9. Alcohol concentrations for preserving flowers (Gretchen Meier)<br></div><div dir="ltr"> 10. SPNHC opening mixer (Bentley, Andrew Charles)<br></div><div dir="ltr"> 11. Re: Alcohol concentrations for preserving flowers (Simon Moore)<br></div><div dir="ltr"> 12. Head of Conservation Unit at the Natural History Museum of<br></div><div dir="ltr"> Denmark (NHMD) (Nikolaj Scharff)<br></div><div dir="ltr"> 13. Re: Alcohol concentrations for preserving flowers (John E Simmons)<br></div><div dir="ltr"> 14. Re: Alcohol concentrations for preserving flowers (Dirk Neumann)<br></div><div dir="ltr"> 15. SPNHC Education DemoCamp 2021 (<a ymailto="mailto:membership@spnhc.org" href="mailto:membership@spnhc.org">membership@spnhc.org</a>)<br></div><div dir="ltr"> 16. freezing blown eggs (Haff, Tonya (NCMI, Crace))<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">----------------------------------------------------------------------<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Message: 1<br></div><div dir="ltr">Date: Fri, 7 May 2021 15:18:16 +0100<br></div><div dir="ltr">From: Simon Moore <<a ymailto="mailto:couteaufin@btinternet.com" href="mailto:couteaufin@btinternet.com">couteaufin@btinternet.com</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">To: Mare Nazaire <<a ymailto="mailto:mnazaire@calbg.org" href="mailto:mnazaire@calbg.org">mnazaire@calbg.org</a>>, Dirk Neumann <<a ymailto="mailto:neumann@snsb.de" href="mailto:neumann@snsb.de">neumann@snsb.de</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">Cc: Erik ?hlander <<a ymailto="mailto:Erik.Ahlander@nrm.se" href="mailto:Erik.Ahlander@nrm.se">Erik.Ahlander@nrm.se</a>>, NHCOLL-new<br></div><div dir="ltr"> <<a ymailto="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Alcohol concentration for terrestrial<br></div><div dir="ltr"> vertebrates<br></div><div dir="ltr">Message-ID: <<a ymailto="mailto:945E53CC-DBBD-41D2-8A43-3CC71B88F60A@btinternet.com" href="mailto:945E53CC-DBBD-41D2-8A43-3CC71B88F60A@btinternet.com">945E53CC-DBBD-41D2-8A43-3CC71B88F60A@btinternet.com</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Dear Mare,<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">I have always fixed fresh plant material in Kew mix and then transferred to Copenhagen mixture which is similar but minus the formalin. As Dirk has pointed out, the formulae (proportions) do vary slightly between institutions, some prefer more glycerine in their mixes but which can make the specimens rather translucent which is why others prefer a lower concentration. There is also the slight problem of osmotic pressure differential and specimens floating until they equilibrate! <br></div><div dir="ltr">Make sure that the pH of the solutions is a near to 7.0 as possible.<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">With all good wishes, Simon<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Simon Moore MIScT, RSci, FLS, ACR<br></div><div dir="ltr">Conservator of Natural Sciences and Cutlery Historian,<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">www.natural-history-conservation.com<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">> On 7 May 2021, at 13:53, Mare Nazaire <<a ymailto="mailto:mnazaire@calbg.org" href="mailto:mnazaire@calbg.org">mnazaire@calbg.org</a>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> This is a very informative and helpful thread - thank you for this!<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> I presume that 70% concentration would also be suitable for plant material preserved in spirits? I ask because I've recently discovered that some of our collection of fluid preserved plant material is at a concentration of 50% and I wondered if it is advisable to keep them as is or change their concentration to 70%. Are there recommendations in John Simmon's book for preserving plant specimens in alcohol and could you also provide the citation for this book?<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> Thank you,<br></div><div dir="ltr">> ~Mare<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> On Fri, May 7, 2021 at 12:48 AM Erik ?hlander <<a ymailto="mailto:Erik.Ahlander@nrm.se" href="mailto:Erik.Ahlander@nrm.se">Erik.Ahlander@nrm.se</a>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Dear Tonya, John, Simon, Dirk - well all,<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> Also I agree. Since I will soon retire I want to share some experiences:<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> When we started to take care of the collection of wet vertebrates in Stockholm in 1975 there was no overlap in time (well 1 week) with the previous staff (the previous curator was employed 1934-1974). So we had to invent the wheel. The initial ambition was to keep a concentration between 70 and 80% ethanol. (We also tested the new suggested conservation fluid Phenoxetol, which after some years showed to be a disaster). To compensate for evaporation, we tried to stick to 80%. New material was fixed in formalin for at least a week, washing in water, 20% ethanol for two days or more, 50% for two days or more, and final storage in 80%. Also we removed all bad jars from the collection ? and a bad jar was a jar that needed topping. Expedition material was sorted and identified etc after this stage with the result that many specimens was changed to 80% once more. It took more than 10 years to realize that 80% was to strong. But also that every change of alcohol, or topping, resulted in a <br></div><div dir="ltr"> higher concentration ethanol since the lowering effect of the alcohol concentration through remnants of the previus stage fluid inside the specimens was removed. Also the small amounts of formalin in the specimen was reduced for each change of fluid. Especially for tiny fish we could find obvious shrinking. Today we are careful<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> 1. To keep the specimens in 70% (not more, not less)<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> 2. Not to rinse to much in water. Rather remove the formalin from the surface of the specimen only.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> 3. Don?t change the fluid if it is not necessary.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> 4. If you have to remove all fluid, add maybe 80-90% of fresh (70%) ethanol and the rest used ethanol from another specimen.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> All formalin fixed specimens has a small amount of formalin left - that is good.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> Some substances in the specimen dissolve in the alcohol (just look at an alcohol preserved Anguilla?). Every change of alcohol add to the removing of lipids etc - that is bad.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> As far as we know, formalin was used for the first time at the NRM in 1904, but only occasionally! Still in the 1940s ethanol was commonly used for fixation in the field. When the museum moved from downtown Stockholm to north of the city in 1916, the economy for alcohol was reduced due to world war I (otherwise Sweden was not involved). This led to the invention to use a diluted formalin solution for the exhibition jars (for specimens fixed in ethanol!). The research collection continued to be stored in ethanol. Our collection is old. We estimate that our oldest specimens in ethanol are from the 1720s (from the Seba collection). Still many specimens from before 1758 are in remarkable good condition. In some specimens it is even possible to get small pieces of DNA with ancient DNA technic ? but usually not. This sounds contradicting to some statements above. We don?t know too much about the preservation history of these specimens, but what we know might be of general interest. The i<br></div><div dir="ltr"> nitial fixation and preservation was in distilled wine (=?spiritus vini?). We don?t know the concentration, and probably it was not pure ethanol, but also contained small amount of other fractions from the wine, more like strong cognac. The Royal collection (of king Adolf Fredrik with many Linnaean types) was donated to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in 1801. NRM was founded in 1819, but immediately in practice fused with the Academy. In 1848 the collections of the Academy was formally donated to the Museum. From the 1740s to 1970 this collection of vertebrates in alcohol was moved four times. Jars and fluid was probably changed twice. But most of the time the collection was stored cool and dark. Glasses and fluids was expensive so the ratio: specimen volume / conservation fluid volume was high up to 1900. From 1801-1898 the major part seems to have been almost untouched, except that the whole collection was moved 1500 meters in 1829.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> I was once asked how long a specimen could be stored in alcohol. With the reservation that our old specimens will be stored like today, no sudden disasters etc (and no climate change), I decided that to 2220 = 500 years would be possible, maybe 1000 years.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> Erik ?hlander<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> vertebrate zoology and museum history<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> ZOO<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> Swedish Museum of Natural History<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> PO Box 50007<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> SE-10405 Stockholm<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> Sweden<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> +46 0 8 5195 4118<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> +46 0 70 225 2716<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <a ymailto="mailto:erik.ahlander@nrm.se" href="mailto:erik.ahlander@nrm.se">erik.ahlander@nrm.se</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> Fr?n: Nhcoll-l <<a ymailto="mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu">nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu</a>> F?r Dirk Neumann<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Skickat: den 7 maj 2021 08:36<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Till: <a ymailto="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">> ?mne: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Alcohol concentration for terrestrial vertebrates<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> Hi Tonya (and John and Simon ;-)<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> concur with John and Simon, specimens should be kept in 70%; Simon pointed to the diluting effects and the image below nicely illustrates this: even if you use more steps for transferring specimens (0/20/40/60/80 vs. 20/30/50/70), tissues are still soaked with 60% or less high concentrated EtOH.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> Depending on size, body mass and number of specimens (i.e. amount of tissue in the jar), the effect can be considerable (see "staining" in the images below; in the left one, body fluids released from these tall whitefish are indicated by the reddish haemoglobin stain at the bottom of the jar, the overall greenish colour in the right comes from chlorophyll released from the guts of these herbivorous distichodus fish).<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> I do the initial filling usually with 73-75% EtOH to reach 70%; aside from vertebrates high EtOH concentrations can be an issue in malaise traps because there the specimens usually are collected over several days or weeks in 96-80% EtOH. As Simon pointed out this quickly dehydrates specimens and weakens the joints holding all the antennae, appendices, bristles of invertebrates. Another issue is that in unsorted malaise trap samples there often is a thick deposit of specimens at the bottom of the container. Because the diluted less high concentrated ethanol is heavier, it layers at the bottom of the jar (cf. whitefish jar). Inside malaise trap containers, this diluted EtOH may get trapped in the thick specimen deposit.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> Usually, I leave jars for few day to see if there are any unwanted effects before moving them into the collection.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> Hope this is useful, with best wishes<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> Dirk<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <image001.png><br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> Am 07.05.2021 um 00:17 schrieb Simon Moore:<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> Thanks John and Tonya,<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> What John says is true about the staging of alcohols and the final concentrations. 80% was what I was advised at the NHM in London when I worked there and by the time larger terrestrial vertebrates ?end up? in 80%, you will often find that with the mix of lower grade alcohols from the staging process, once things have settled down / equilibrated, then the net result is around 70% anyway. Higher grade alcohols can lead to embrittlement of certain tissues as well as evaporation issues.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> I have also found the staging process necessary for the more fragile specimens as they undergo changes in Osmotic pressure during this process which can cause syneresis or shrinkage in softer tissues.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> With all good wishes, Simon<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> Simon Moore MIScT, RSci, FLS, ACR<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Conservator of Natural Sciences and Cutlery Historian,<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> www.natural-history-conservation.com<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <image002.jpg><br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> On 6 May 2021, at 22:50, John E Simmons <<a ymailto="mailto:simmons.johne@gmail.com" href="mailto:simmons.johne@gmail.com">simmons.johne@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> Tonya,<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Thank you for your kind words about my book. The recommendation for staging up to 80% concentration was by made by my friend Simon Moore, who I cited in that sentence. In general, I do not recommend using 80% ETOH as a preservative for terrestrial vertebrates, but rather 70%. Preservation is alcohol is a trade-off between dehydration of the specimens and providing them suitable protection against biological deterioration. At 70%, ETOH is a very good biocide; below that, not so good, and above 70%, too strong for most specimens (note that there are some instances in which 80% might be preferred). <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> I do not recommend using stronger alcohol as a hedge against evaporation--that leads to uneven concentrations of preservatives and can be a real mess to work with in a collection.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> For how-to instructions on preserving, transferring specimens, and managing a fluid preserved collection, you might want to check Herpetological Collecting and Collections Management (3rd edition, 2015). The instructions for preserving and managing fluid preserved animals will work for most other specimens as well as for reptiles and amphibians.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> Hope this helps,<br></div><div dir="ltr">> --John<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> John E. Simmons<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Writer and Museum Consultant<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Museologica<br></div><div dir="ltr">> and<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Associate Curator of Collections<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Earth and Mineral Science Museum & Art Gallery<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Penn State University<br></div><div dir="ltr">> and<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Investigador Asociado, Departamento de Ornitologia<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> On Thu, May 6, 2021 at 4:05 PM Haff, Tonya (NCMI, Crace) <<a ymailto="mailto:Tonya.Haff@csiro.au" href="mailto:Tonya.Haff@csiro.au">Tonya.Haff@csiro.au</a>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Hello all,<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> I am enjoying reading John Simmon's fantastic book on fluid preservation. In it I read one suggestion for stepping specimens up out of formalin fixative into preservation alcohol as follows: from 20% ETOH to 40% to 60% and finally to 80%. We typically place our specimens in 70% ETOH, and I know higher concentrations can cause some problems with specimen dehydration. All our specimens are terrestrial vertebrates. I presume the final 80% provides a buffer against ETOH evaporation or leaching of water from the specimen into the fluid in the jar, to ensure that the alcohol concentration in the preservation fluid stays sufficiently high? But to me this is not quite clear. I wonder if any of you have thoughts on this, or if you would be willing to share how you step your specimens up in ETOH? <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> Thank you!<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> Tonya<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Nhcoll-l mailing list<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <a ymailto="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">> <a href="https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l" target="_blank">https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">> NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose<br></div><div dir="ltr">> mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of<br></div><div dir="ltr">> natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to<br></div><div dir="ltr">> society. 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See <a href="http://www.spnhc.org " target="_blank">http://www.spnhc.org </a>for membership information.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> -- <br></div><div dir="ltr">> Mare Nazaire, Ph.D.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Administrative Curator, Herbarium [RSA-POM]<br></div><div dir="ltr">> California Botanic Garden<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Research Assistant Professor, Claremont Graduate University<br></div><div dir="ltr">> 1500 North College Avenue<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Claremont, California 91711<br></div><div dir="ltr">> 909.625.8767 ext. 268<br></div><div dir="ltr">> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Nhcoll-l mailing list<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <a ymailto="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">> <a href="https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l" target="_blank">https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">> NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose<br></div><div dir="ltr">> mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of<br></div><div dir="ltr">> natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to<br></div><div dir="ltr">> society. See <a href="http://www.spnhc.org " target="_blank">http://www.spnhc.org </a>for membership information.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate.<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">-------------- next part --------------<br></div><div dir="ltr">An HTML attachment was scrubbed...<br></div><div dir="ltr">URL: <<a href="http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210507/e74a6aca/attachment-0001.html" target="_blank">http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210507/e74a6aca/attachment-0001.html</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">-------------- next part --------------<br></div><div dir="ltr">A non-text attachment was scrubbed...<br></div><div dir="ltr">Name: PastedGraphic-2.tiff<br></div><div dir="ltr">Type: image/tiff<br></div><div dir="ltr">Size: 38900 bytes<br></div><div dir="ltr">Desc: not available<br></div><div dir="ltr">URL: <<a href="http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210507/e74a6aca/attachment-0001.tiff" target="_blank">http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210507/e74a6aca/attachment-0001.tiff</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">-------------- next part --------------<br></div><div dir="ltr">A non-text attachment was scrubbed...<br></div><div dir="ltr">Name: MA logo.jpg<br></div><div dir="ltr">Type: image/jpeg<br></div><div dir="ltr">Size: 19375 bytes<br></div><div dir="ltr">Desc: not available<br></div><div dir="ltr">URL: <<a href="http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210507/e74a6aca/attachment-0001.jpg" target="_blank">http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210507/e74a6aca/attachment-0001.jpg</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">------------------------------<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Message: 2<br></div><div dir="ltr">Date: Fri, 7 May 2021 07:55:58 -0700<br></div><div dir="ltr">From: Mare Nazaire <<a ymailto="mailto:mnazaire@calbg.org" href="mailto:mnazaire@calbg.org">mnazaire@calbg.org</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">To: Simon Moore <<a ymailto="mailto:couteaufin@btinternet.com" href="mailto:couteaufin@btinternet.com">couteaufin@btinternet.com</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">Cc: Dirk Neumann <<a ymailto="mailto:neumann@snsb.de" href="mailto:neumann@snsb.de">neumann@snsb.de</a>>, Erik ?hlander<br></div><div dir="ltr"> <<a ymailto="mailto:Erik.Ahlander@nrm.se" href="mailto:Erik.Ahlander@nrm.se">Erik.Ahlander@nrm.se</a>>, NHCOLL-new <<a ymailto="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Alcohol concentration for terrestrial<br></div><div dir="ltr"> vertebrates<br></div><div dir="ltr">Message-ID:<br></div><div dir="ltr"> <CAGsrPo+<a ymailto="mailto:cGTyuw3wsBDqQ3Z5cameTn0k_40Fui4H1j6c84F3F_w@mail.gmail.com" href="mailto:cGTyuw3wsBDqQ3Z5cameTn0k_40Fui4H1j6c84F3F_w@mail.gmail.com">cGTyuw3wsBDqQ3Z5cameTn0k_40Fui4H1j6c84F3F_w@mail.gmail.com</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Thank you Simon and Dirk for your feedback on this.<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">I had actually spoken with the botanist who originally prepared the<br></div><div dir="ltr">specimens back in the 60's - he noted that they were preserved in 50% EtOH.<br></div><div dir="ltr">He also noted that when he had traveled to other countries for field work<br></div><div dir="ltr">and EtOH wasn't available he would use rum! So there could be some other<br></div><div dir="ltr">residual components in these fluid preserved specimens!<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">On Fri, May 7, 2021 at 7:18 AM Simon Moore <<a ymailto="mailto:couteaufin@btinternet.com" href="mailto:couteaufin@btinternet.com">couteaufin@btinternet.com</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">> Dear Mare,<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> I have always fixed fresh plant material in Kew mix and then transferred<br></div><div dir="ltr">> to Copenhagen mixture which is similar but minus the formalin. As Dirk has<br></div><div dir="ltr">> pointed out, the formulae (proportions) do vary slightly between<br></div><div dir="ltr">> institutions, some prefer more glycerine in their mixes but which can make<br></div><div dir="ltr">> the specimens rather translucent which is why others prefer a lower<br></div><div dir="ltr">> concentration. There is also the slight problem of osmotic pressure<br></div><div dir="ltr">> differential and specimens floating until they equilibrate!<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Make sure that the pH of the solutions is a near to 7.0 as possible.<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> With all good wishes, Simon<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> Simon Moore MIScT, RSci, FLS, ACR<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Conservator of Natural Sciences and Cutlery Historian,<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> www.natural-history-conservation.com<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> On 7 May 2021, at 13:53, Mare Nazaire <<a ymailto="mailto:mnazaire@calbg.org" href="mailto:mnazaire@calbg.org">mnazaire@calbg.org</a>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> This is a very informative and helpful thread - thank you for this!<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> I presume that 70% concentration would also be suitable for plant material<br></div><div dir="ltr">> preserved in spirits? I ask because I've recently discovered that some of<br></div><div dir="ltr">> our collection of fluid preserved plant material is at a concentration of<br></div><div dir="ltr">> 50% and I wondered if it is advisable to keep them as is or change their<br></div><div dir="ltr">> concentration to 70%. Are there recommendations in John Simmon's book for<br></div><div dir="ltr">> preserving plant specimens in alcohol and could you also provide the<br></div><div dir="ltr">> citation for this book?<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> Thank you,<br></div><div dir="ltr">> ~Mare<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> On Fri, May 7, 2021 at 12:48 AM Erik ?hlander <<a ymailto="mailto:Erik.Ahlander@nrm.se" href="mailto:Erik.Ahlander@nrm.se">Erik.Ahlander@nrm.se</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Dear Tonya, John, Simon, Dirk - well all,<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> Also I agree. Since I will soon retire I want to share some experiences:<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> When we started to take care of the collection of wet vertebrates in<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Stockholm in 1975 there was no overlap in time (well 1 week) with the<br></div><div dir="ltr">> previous staff (the previous curator was employed 1934-1974). So we had to<br></div><div dir="ltr">> invent the wheel. The initial ambition was to keep a concentration between<br></div><div dir="ltr">> 70 and 80% ethanol. (We also tested the new suggested conservation fluid<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Phenoxetol, which after some years showed to be a disaster). To compensate<br></div><div dir="ltr">> for evaporation, we tried to stick to 80%. New material was fixed in<br></div><div dir="ltr">> formalin for at least a week, washing in water, 20% ethanol for two days or<br></div><div dir="ltr">> more, 50% for two days or more, and final storage in 80%. Also we removed<br></div><div dir="ltr">> all bad jars from the collection ? and a bad jar was a jar that needed<br></div><div dir="ltr">> topping. Expedition material was sorted and identified etc after this stage<br></div><div dir="ltr">> with the result that many specimens was changed to 80% once more. It took<br></div><div dir="ltr">> more than 10 years to realize that 80% was to strong. But also that every<br></div><div dir="ltr">> change of alcohol, or topping, resulted in a higher concentration ethanol<br></div><div dir="ltr">> since the lowering effect of the alcohol concentration through remnants of<br></div><div dir="ltr">> the previus stage fluid inside the specimens was removed. Also the small<br></div><div dir="ltr">> amounts of formalin in the specimen was reduced for each change of fluid.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Especially for tiny fish we could find obvious shrinking. Today we are<br></div><div dir="ltr">> careful<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> 1. To keep the specimens in 70% (not more, not less)<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> 2. Not to rinse to much in water. Rather remove the formalin from<br></div><div dir="ltr">> the surface of the specimen only.<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> 3. Don?t change the fluid if it is not necessary.<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> 4. If you have to remove all fluid, add maybe 80-90% of fresh (70%)<br></div><div dir="ltr">> ethanol and the rest used ethanol from another specimen.<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> All formalin fixed specimens has a small amount of formalin left - that is<br></div><div dir="ltr">> good.<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> Some substances in the specimen dissolve in the alcohol (just look at an<br></div><div dir="ltr">> alcohol preserved Anguilla?). Every change of alcohol add to the removing<br></div><div dir="ltr">> of lipids etc - that is bad.<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> As far as we know, formalin was used for the first time at the NRM in<br></div><div dir="ltr">> 1904, but only occasionally! Still in the 1940s ethanol was commonly used<br></div><div dir="ltr">> for fixation in the field. When the museum moved from downtown Stockholm to<br></div><div dir="ltr">> north of the city in 1916, the economy for alcohol was reduced due to world<br></div><div dir="ltr">> war I (otherwise Sweden was not involved). This led to the invention to use<br></div><div dir="ltr">> a diluted formalin solution for the exhibition jars (for specimens fixed in<br></div><div dir="ltr">> ethanol!). The research collection continued to be stored in ethanol. Our<br></div><div dir="ltr">> collection is old. We estimate that our oldest specimens in ethanol are<br></div><div dir="ltr">> from the 1720s (from the Seba collection). Still many specimens from before<br></div><div dir="ltr">> 1758 are in remarkable good condition. In some specimens it is even<br></div><div dir="ltr">> possible to get small pieces of DNA with ancient DNA technic ? but usually<br></div><div dir="ltr">> not. This sounds contradicting to some statements above. We don?t know too<br></div><div dir="ltr">> much about the preservation history of these specimens, but what we know<br></div><div dir="ltr">> might be of general interest. The initial fixation and preservation was in<br></div><div dir="ltr">> distilled wine (=?spiritus vini?). We don?t know the concentration, and<br></div><div dir="ltr">> probably it was not pure ethanol, but also contained small amount of other<br></div><div dir="ltr">> fractions from the wine, more like strong cognac. The Royal collection (of<br></div><div dir="ltr">> king Adolf Fredrik with many Linnaean types) was donated to the<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in 1801. NRM was founded in 1819, but<br></div><div dir="ltr">> immediately in practice fused with the Academy. In 1848 the collections of<br></div><div dir="ltr">> the Academy was formally donated to the Museum. From the 1740s to 1970 this<br></div><div dir="ltr">> collection of vertebrates in alcohol was moved four times. Jars and fluid<br></div><div dir="ltr">> was probably changed twice. But most of the time the collection was stored<br></div><div dir="ltr">> cool and dark. Glasses and fluids was expensive so the ratio: specimen<br></div><div dir="ltr">> volume / conservation fluid volume was high up to 1900. From 1801-1898 the<br></div><div dir="ltr">> major part seems to have been almost untouched, except that the whole<br></div><div dir="ltr">> collection was moved 1500 meters in 1829.<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> I was once asked how long a specimen could be stored in alcohol. With the<br></div><div dir="ltr">> reservation that our old specimens will be stored like today, no sudden<br></div><div dir="ltr">> disasters etc (and no climate change), I decided that to 2220 = 500 years<br></div><div dir="ltr">> would be possible, maybe 1000 years.<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> Erik ?hlander<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> vertebrate zoology and museum history<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> ZOO<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> Swedish Museum of Natural History<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> PO Box 50007<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> SE-10405 Stockholm<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> Sweden<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> +46 0 8 5195 4118<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> +46 0 70 225 2716<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> <a ymailto="mailto:erik.ahlander@nrm.se" href="mailto:erik.ahlander@nrm.se">erik.ahlander@nrm.se</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> Fr?n: Nhcoll-l <<a ymailto="mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu">nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu</a>> F?r Dirk Neumann<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Skickat: den 7 maj 2021 08:36<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Till: <a ymailto="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">> ?mne: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Alcohol concentration for terrestrial vertebrates<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> Hi Tonya (and John and Simon ;-)<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> concur with John and Simon, specimens should be kept in 70%; Simon pointed<br></div><div dir="ltr">> to the diluting effects and the image below nicely illustrates this: even<br></div><div dir="ltr">> if you use more steps for transferring specimens (0/20/40/60/80 vs.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> 20/30/50/70), tissues are still soaked with 60% or less high concentrated<br></div><div dir="ltr">> EtOH.<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> Depending on size, body mass and number of specimens (i.e. amount of<br></div><div dir="ltr">> tissue in the jar), the effect can be considerable (see "staining" in the<br></div><div dir="ltr">> images below; in the left one, body fluids released from these tall<br></div><div dir="ltr">> whitefish are indicated by the reddish haemoglobin stain at the bottom of<br></div><div dir="ltr">> the jar, the overall greenish colour in the right comes from chlorophyll<br></div><div dir="ltr">> released from the guts of these herbivorous distichodus fish).<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> I do the initial filling usually with 73-75% EtOH to reach 70%; aside from<br></div><div dir="ltr">> vertebrates high EtOH concentrations can be an issue in malaise traps<br></div><div dir="ltr">> because there the specimens usually are collected over several days or<br></div><div dir="ltr">> weeks in 96-80% EtOH. As Simon pointed out this quickly dehydrates<br></div><div dir="ltr">> specimens and weakens the joints holding all the antennae, appendices,<br></div><div dir="ltr">> bristles of invertebrates. Another issue is that in unsorted malaise trap<br></div><div dir="ltr">> samples there often is a thick deposit of specimens at the bottom of the<br></div><div dir="ltr">> container. Because the diluted less high concentrated ethanol is heavier,<br></div><div dir="ltr">> it layers at the bottom of the jar (cf. whitefish jar). Inside malaise trap<br></div><div dir="ltr">> containers, this diluted EtOH may get trapped in the thick specimen deposit.<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> Usually, I leave jars for few day to see if there are any unwanted effects<br></div><div dir="ltr">> before moving them into the collection.<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> Hope this is useful, with best wishes<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> Dirk<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> <image001.png><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> Am 07.05.2021 um 00:17 schrieb Simon Moore:<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> Thanks John and Tonya,<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> What John says is true about the staging of alcohols and the final<br></div><div dir="ltr">> concentrations. 80% was what I was advised at the NHM in London when I<br></div><div dir="ltr">> worked there and by the time larger terrestrial vertebrates ?end up? in<br></div><div dir="ltr">> 80%, you will often find that with the mix of lower grade alcohols from the<br></div><div dir="ltr">> staging process, once things have settled down / equilibrated, then the net<br></div><div dir="ltr">> result is around 70% anyway. Higher grade alcohols can lead to<br></div><div dir="ltr">> embrittlement of certain tissues as well as evaporation issues.<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> I have also found the staging process necessary for the more fragile<br></div><div dir="ltr">> specimens as they undergo changes in Osmotic pressure during this process<br></div><div dir="ltr">> which can cause syneresis or shrinkage in softer tissues.<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> With all good wishes, Simon<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> Simon Moore MIScT, RSci, FLS, ACR<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Conservator of Natural Sciences and Cutlery Historian,<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> www.natural-history-conservation.com<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> <image002.jpg><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> On 6 May 2021, at 22:50, John E Simmons <<a ymailto="mailto:simmons.johne@gmail.com" href="mailto:simmons.johne@gmail.com">simmons.johne@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> Tonya,<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Thank you for your kind words about my book. The recommendation for<br></div><div dir="ltr">> staging up to 80% concentration was by made by my friend Simon Moore, who I<br></div><div dir="ltr">> cited in that sentence. In general, I do not recommend using 80% ETOH as a<br></div><div dir="ltr">> preservative for terrestrial vertebrates, but rather 70%. Preservation is<br></div><div dir="ltr">> alcohol is a trade-off between dehydration of the specimens and providing<br></div><div dir="ltr">> them suitable protection against biological deterioration. At 70%, ETOH is<br></div><div dir="ltr">> a very good biocide; below that, not so good, and above 70%, too strong for<br></div><div dir="ltr">> most specimens (note that there are some instances in which 80% might be<br></div><div dir="ltr">> preferred).<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> I do not recommend using stronger alcohol as a hedge against<br></div><div dir="ltr">> evaporation--that leads to uneven concentrations of preservatives and can<br></div><div dir="ltr">> be a real mess to work with in a collection.<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> For how-to instructions on preserving, transferring specimens, and<br></div><div dir="ltr">> managing a fluid preserved collection, you might want to check<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Herpetological Collecting and Collections Management (3rd edition, 2015).<br></div><div dir="ltr">> The instructions for preserving and managing fluid preserved animals will<br></div><div dir="ltr">> work for most other specimens as well as for reptiles and amphibians.<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> Hope this helps,<br></div><div dir="ltr">> --John<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> John E. Simmons<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Writer and Museum Consultant<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Museologica<br></div><div dir="ltr">> and<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Associate Curator of Collections<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Earth and Mineral Science Museum & Art Gallery<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Penn State University<br></div><div dir="ltr">> and<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Investigador Asociado, Departamento de Ornitologia<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> On Thu, May 6, 2021 at 4:05 PM Haff, Tonya (NCMI, Crace)<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <<a ymailto="mailto:Tonya.Haff@csiro.au" href="mailto:Tonya.Haff@csiro.au">Tonya.Haff@csiro.au</a>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Hello all,<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> I am enjoying reading John Simmon's fantastic book on fluid preservation.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> In it I read one suggestion for stepping specimens up out of formalin<br></div><div dir="ltr">> fixative into preservation alcohol as follows: from 20% ETOH to 40% to 60%<br></div><div dir="ltr">> and finally to 80%. We typically place our specimens in 70% ETOH, and I<br></div><div dir="ltr">> know higher concentrations can cause some problems with specimen<br></div><div dir="ltr">> dehydration. All our specimens are terrestrial vertebrates. I presume the<br></div><div dir="ltr">> final 80% provides a buffer against ETOH evaporation or leaching of water<br></div><div dir="ltr">> from the specimen into the fluid in the jar, to ensure that the alcohol<br></div><div dir="ltr">> concentration in the preservation fluid stays sufficiently high? But to me<br></div><div dir="ltr">> this is not quite clear. I wonder if any of you have thoughts on this, or<br></div><div dir="ltr">> if you would be willing to share how you step your specimens up in ETOH?<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> Thank you!<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> Tonya<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Nhcoll-l mailing list<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <a ymailto="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">> <a href="https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l" target="_blank">https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">> NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose<br></div><div dir="ltr">> mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of<br></div><div dir="ltr">> natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to<br></div><div dir="ltr">> society. See <a href="http://www.spnhc.org " target="_blank">http://www.spnhc.org </a>for membership information.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Nhcoll-l mailing list<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <a ymailto="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">> <a href="https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l" target="_blank">https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">> NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose<br></div><div dir="ltr">> mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of<br></div><div dir="ltr">> natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to<br></div><div dir="ltr">> society. See <a href="http://www.spnhc.org " target="_blank">http://www.spnhc.org </a>for membership information.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate.<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Nhcoll-l mailing list<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <a ymailto="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">> <a href="https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l" target="_blank">https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">> NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose<br></div><div dir="ltr">> mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of<br></div><div dir="ltr">> natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to<br></div><div dir="ltr">> society. See <a href="http://www.spnhc.org " target="_blank">http://www.spnhc.org </a>for membership information.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate.<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> --<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> <image004.png><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> Dirk Neumann<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> Tel: 089 / 8107-111<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Fax: 089 / 8107-300<br></div><div dir="ltr">> neumann(a)snsb.de<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> Postanschrift:<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> Staatliche Naturwissenschaftliche Sammlungen Bayerns<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Zoologische Staatssammlung M?nchen<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Dirk Neumann, Sektion Ichthyologie / DNA-Storage<br></div><div dir="ltr">> M?nchhausenstr. 21<br></div><div dir="ltr">> 81247 M?nchen<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> Besuchen Sie unsere Sammlung:<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <a href="http://www.zsm.mwn.de/sektion/ichthyologie-home/" target="_blank">http://www.zsm.mwn.de/sektion/ichthyologie-home/</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> ---------<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> Dirk Neumann<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> Tel: +49-89-8107-111<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Fax: +49-89-8107-300<br></div><div dir="ltr">> neumann(a)snsb.de<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> postal address:<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> Bavarian Natural History Collections<br></div><div dir="ltr">> The Bavarian State Collection of Zoology<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Dirk Neumann, Section Ichthyology / DNA-Storage<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Muenchhausenstr. 21<br></div><div dir="ltr">> 81247 Munich (Germany)<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> Visit our section at:<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <a href="http://www.zsm.mwn.de/sektion/ichthyologie-home/" target="_blank">http://www.zsm.mwn.de/sektion/ichthyologie-home/</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Nhcoll-l mailing list<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <a ymailto="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">> <a href="https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l" target="_blank">https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">> NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose<br></div><div dir="ltr">> mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of<br></div><div dir="ltr">> natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to<br></div><div dir="ltr">> society. See <a href="http://www.spnhc.org " target="_blank">http://www.spnhc.org </a>for membership information.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate.<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> --<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Mare Nazaire, Ph.D.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Administrative Curator, Herbarium [RSA-POM]<br></div><div dir="ltr">> California Botanic Garden<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Research Assistant Professor, Claremont Graduate University<br></div><div dir="ltr">> 1500 North College Avenue<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Claremont, California 91711<br></div><div dir="ltr">> 909.625.8767 ext. 268<br></div><div dir="ltr">> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Nhcoll-l mailing list<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <a ymailto="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">> <a href="https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l" target="_blank">https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">> NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose<br></div><div dir="ltr">> mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of<br></div><div dir="ltr">> natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to<br></div><div dir="ltr">> society. See <a href="http://www.spnhc.org " target="_blank">http://www.spnhc.org </a>for membership information.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate.<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">-- <br></div><div dir="ltr">Mare Nazaire, Ph.D.<br></div><div dir="ltr">Administrative Curator, Herbarium [RSA-POM]<br></div><div dir="ltr">California Botanic Garden<br></div><div dir="ltr">Research Assistant Professor, Claremont Graduate University<br></div><div dir="ltr">1500 North College Avenue<br></div><div dir="ltr">Claremont, California 91711<br></div><div dir="ltr">909.625.8767 ext. 268<br></div><div dir="ltr">-------------- next part --------------<br></div><div dir="ltr">An HTML attachment was scrubbed...<br></div><div dir="ltr">URL: <<a href="http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210507/35e3b29a/attachment-0001.html" target="_blank">http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210507/35e3b29a/attachment-0001.html</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">-------------- next part --------------<br></div><div dir="ltr">A non-text attachment was scrubbed...<br></div><div dir="ltr">Name: PastedGraphic-2.tiff<br></div><div dir="ltr">Type: image/tiff<br></div><div dir="ltr">Size: 38900 bytes<br></div><div dir="ltr">Desc: not available<br></div><div dir="ltr">URL: <<a href="http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210507/35e3b29a/attachment-0001.tiff" target="_blank">http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210507/35e3b29a/attachment-0001.tiff</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">-------------- next part --------------<br></div><div dir="ltr">A non-text attachment was scrubbed...<br></div><div dir="ltr">Name: MA logo.jpg<br></div><div dir="ltr">Type: image/jpeg<br></div><div dir="ltr">Size: 19375 bytes<br></div><div dir="ltr">Desc: not available<br></div><div dir="ltr">URL: <<a href="http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210507/35e3b29a/attachment-0001.jpg" target="_blank">http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210507/35e3b29a/attachment-0001.jpg</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">------------------------------<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Message: 3<br></div><div dir="ltr">Date: Fri, 7 May 2021 11:43:32 -0400<br></div><div dir="ltr">From: John E Simmons <<a ymailto="mailto:simmons.johne@gmail.com" href="mailto:simmons.johne@gmail.com">simmons.johne@gmail.com</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">To: Mare Nazaire <<a ymailto="mailto:mnazaire@calbg.org" href="mailto:mnazaire@calbg.org">mnazaire@calbg.org</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">Cc: Simon Moore <<a ymailto="mailto:couteaufin@btinternet.com" href="mailto:couteaufin@btinternet.com">couteaufin@btinternet.com</a>>, NHCOLL-new<br></div><div dir="ltr"> <<a ymailto="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Alcohol concentration for terrestrial<br></div><div dir="ltr"> vertebrates<br></div><div dir="ltr">Message-ID:<br></div><div dir="ltr"> <<a ymailto="mailto:CAF7GCDaQVa_-SWiu-GiNU0bYfgCUJOkrtRXoqAz9GQ_U6C8b-g@mail.gmail.com" href="mailto:CAF7GCDaQVa_-SWiu-GiNU0bYfgCUJOkrtRXoqAz9GQ_U6C8b-g@mail.gmail.com">CAF7GCDaQVa_-SWiu-GiNU0bYfgCUJOkrtRXoqAz9GQ_U6C8b-g@mail.gmail.com</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"> The reference for the book is:<br></div><div dir="ltr">Simmons, John E. 2014. *Fluid Preservation: A Comprehensive Reference*.<br></div><div dir="ltr">Rowman & Littlefield. It is available from Amazon.com, from the publisher,<br></div><div dir="ltr">and other sellers.<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">The book includes a discussion (pp 54-56) of botanical fluid preservation<br></div><div dir="ltr">(thanks to Ann Pinzl for generously sharing with me her as yet unpublished<br></div><div dir="ltr">research on this subject). Botanists have tended to use some strange<br></div><div dir="ltr">mixtures, trying to preserve color in their specimens (particularly in<br></div><div dir="ltr">flowers).<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">The use of beverage alcohol as a preservative has a long and fascinating<br></div><div dir="ltr">history. Although most beverage alcohol is below 70%, it usually does a<br></div><div dir="ltr">fairly good job of preservation (proof is approximately half the alcohol<br></div><div dir="ltr">concentration, so a 20 proof spirit is about 40% ETOH). I have used<br></div><div dir="ltr">beverage alcohol to preserve when nothing else was available, and have seen<br></div><div dir="ltr">a lot of specimens preserved in it. Rum was commonly used because it was<br></div><div dir="ltr">inexpensive (things such as brandy, which usually has a higher alcohol<br></div><div dir="ltr">content than rum, actually work better).<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Over the history of fluid preservation, there have been many attempts to<br></div><div dir="ltr">improve the preservative properties of alcohol. In the days before we had<br></div><div dir="ltr">an easy means to check the concentration, it was common to use alcohol<br></div><div dir="ltr">after a second distillation, which usually meant around 60-65% (depending<br></div><div dir="ltr">on the source), so such things as arsenic, mercuric chloride, and other<br></div><div dir="ltr">chemicals were commonly added to "strengthen" it (they were really just<br></div><div dir="ltr">making it a more effective biocide, but usually screwing up the specimen in<br></div><div dir="ltr">the process).<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">--John<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">John E. Simmons<br></div><div dir="ltr">Writer and Museum Consultant<br></div><div dir="ltr">Museologica<br></div><div dir="ltr">*and*<br></div><div dir="ltr">Associate Curator of Collections<br></div><div dir="ltr">Earth and Mineral Science Museum & Art Gallery<br></div><div dir="ltr">Penn State University<br></div><div dir="ltr">*and*<br></div><div dir="ltr">Investigador Asociado, Departamento de Ornitologia<br></div><div dir="ltr">Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">On Fri, May 7, 2021 at 10:56 AM Mare Nazaire <<a ymailto="mailto:mnazaire@calbg.org" href="mailto:mnazaire@calbg.org">mnazaire@calbg.org</a>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">> Thank you Simon and Dirk for your feedback on this.<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> I had actually spoken with the botanist who originally prepared the<br></div><div dir="ltr">> specimens back in the 60's - he noted that they were preserved in 50% EtOH.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> He also noted that when he had traveled to other countries for field work<br></div><div dir="ltr">> and EtOH wasn't available he would use rum! So there could be some other<br></div><div dir="ltr">> residual components in these fluid preserved specimens!<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> On Fri, May 7, 2021 at 7:18 AM Simon Moore <<a ymailto="mailto:couteaufin@btinternet.com" href="mailto:couteaufin@btinternet.com">couteaufin@btinternet.com</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Dear Mare,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> I have always fixed fresh plant material in Kew mix and then transferred<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> to Copenhagen mixture which is similar but minus the formalin. As Dirk has<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> pointed out, the formulae (proportions) do vary slightly between<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> institutions, some prefer more glycerine in their mixes but which can make<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> the specimens rather translucent which is why others prefer a lower<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> concentration. There is also the slight problem of osmotic pressure<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> differential and specimens floating until they equilibrate!<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Make sure that the pH of the solutions is a near to 7.0 as possible.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> With all good wishes, Simon<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Simon Moore MIScT, RSci, FLS, ACR<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Conservator of Natural Sciences and Cutlery Historian,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> www.natural-history-conservation.com<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> On 7 May 2021, at 13:53, Mare Nazaire <<a ymailto="mailto:mnazaire@calbg.org" href="mailto:mnazaire@calbg.org">mnazaire@calbg.org</a>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> This is a very informative and helpful thread - thank you for this!<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> I presume that 70% concentration would also be suitable for plant<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> material preserved in spirits? I ask because I've recently discovered that<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> some of our collection of fluid preserved plant material is at a<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> concentration of 50% and I wondered if it is advisable to keep them as is<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> or change their concentration to 70%. Are there recommendations in John<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Simmon's book for preserving plant specimens in alcohol and could you also<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> provide the citation for this book?<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Thank you,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> ~Mare<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> On Fri, May 7, 2021 at 12:48 AM Erik ?hlander <<a ymailto="mailto:Erik.Ahlander@nrm.se" href="mailto:Erik.Ahlander@nrm.se">Erik.Ahlander@nrm.se</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Dear Tonya, John, Simon, Dirk - well all,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Also I agree. Since I will soon retire I want to share some experiences:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> When we started to take care of the collection of wet vertebrates in<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Stockholm in 1975 there was no overlap in time (well 1 week) with the<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> previous staff (the previous curator was employed 1934-1974). So we had to<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> invent the wheel. The initial ambition was to keep a concentration between<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> 70 and 80% ethanol. (We also tested the new suggested conservation fluid<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Phenoxetol, which after some years showed to be a disaster). To compensate<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> for evaporation, we tried to stick to 80%. New material was fixed in<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> formalin for at least a week, washing in water, 20% ethanol for two days or<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> more, 50% for two days or more, and final storage in 80%. Also we removed<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> all bad jars from the collection ? and a bad jar was a jar that needed<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> topping. Expedition material was sorted and identified etc after this stage<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> with the result that many specimens was changed to 80% once more. It took<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> more than 10 years to realize that 80% was to strong. But also that every<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> change of alcohol, or topping, resulted in a higher concentration ethanol<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> since the lowering effect of the alcohol concentration through remnants of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> the previus stage fluid inside the specimens was removed. Also the small<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> amounts of formalin in the specimen was reduced for each change of fluid.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Especially for tiny fish we could find obvious shrinking. Today we are<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> careful<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> 1. To keep the specimens in 70% (not more, not less)<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> 2. Not to rinse to much in water. Rather remove the formalin from<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> the surface of the specimen only.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> 3. Don?t change the fluid if it is not necessary.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> 4. If you have to remove all fluid, add maybe 80-90% of fresh (70%)<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> ethanol and the rest used ethanol from another specimen.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> All formalin fixed specimens has a small amount of formalin left - that<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> is good.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Some substances in the specimen dissolve in the alcohol (just look at an<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> alcohol preserved Anguilla?). Every change of alcohol add to the removing<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> of lipids etc - that is bad.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> As far as we know, formalin was used for the first time at the NRM in<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> 1904, but only occasionally! Still in the 1940s ethanol was commonly used<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> for fixation in the field. When the museum moved from downtown Stockholm to<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> north of the city in 1916, the economy for alcohol was reduced due to world<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> war I (otherwise Sweden was not involved). This led to the invention to use<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> a diluted formalin solution for the exhibition jars (for specimens fixed in<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> ethanol!). The research collection continued to be stored in ethanol. Our<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> collection is old. We estimate that our oldest specimens in ethanol are<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> from the 1720s (from the Seba collection). Still many specimens from before<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> 1758 are in remarkable good condition. In some specimens it is even<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> possible to get small pieces of DNA with ancient DNA technic ? but usually<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> not. This sounds contradicting to some statements above. We don?t know too<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> much about the preservation history of these specimens, but what we know<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> might be of general interest. The initial fixation and preservation was in<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> distilled wine (=?spiritus vini?). We don?t know the concentration, and<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> probably it was not pure ethanol, but also contained small amount of other<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> fractions from the wine, more like strong cognac. The Royal collection (of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> king Adolf Fredrik with many Linnaean types) was donated to the<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in 1801. NRM was founded in 1819, but<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> immediately in practice fused with the Academy. In 1848 the collections of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> the Academy was formally donated to the Museum. From the 1740s to 1970 this<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> collection of vertebrates in alcohol was moved four times. Jars and fluid<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> was probably changed twice. But most of the time the collection was stored<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> cool and dark. Glasses and fluids was expensive so the ratio: specimen<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> volume / conservation fluid volume was high up to 1900. From 1801-1898 the<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> major part seems to have been almost untouched, except that the whole<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> collection was moved 1500 meters in 1829.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> I was once asked how long a specimen could be stored in alcohol. With the<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> reservation that our old specimens will be stored like today, no sudden<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> disasters etc (and no climate change), I decided that to 2220 = 500 years<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> would be possible, maybe 1000 years.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Erik ?hlander<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> vertebrate zoology and museum history<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> ZOO<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Swedish Museum of Natural History<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> PO Box 50007<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> SE-10405 Stockholm<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Sweden<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> +46 0 8 5195 4118<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> +46 0 70 225 2716<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <a ymailto="mailto:erik.ahlander@nrm.se" href="mailto:erik.ahlander@nrm.se">erik.ahlander@nrm.se</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Fr?n: Nhcoll-l <<a ymailto="mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu">nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu</a>> F?r Dirk Neumann<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Skickat: den 7 maj 2021 08:36<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Till: <a ymailto="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> ?mne: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Alcohol concentration for terrestrial vertebrates<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Hi Tonya (and John and Simon ;-)<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> concur with John and Simon, specimens should be kept in 70%; Simon<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> pointed to the diluting effects and the image below nicely illustrates<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> this: even if you use more steps for transferring specimens (0/20/40/60/80<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> vs. 20/30/50/70), tissues are still soaked with 60% or less high<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> concentrated EtOH.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Depending on size, body mass and number of specimens (i.e. amount of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> tissue in the jar), the effect can be considerable (see "staining" in the<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> images below; in the left one, body fluids released from these tall<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> whitefish are indicated by the reddish haemoglobin stain at the bottom of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> the jar, the overall greenish colour in the right comes from chlorophyll<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> released from the guts of these herbivorous distichodus fish).<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> I do the initial filling usually with 73-75% EtOH to reach 70%; aside<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> from vertebrates high EtOH concentrations can be an issue in malaise traps<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> because there the specimens usually are collected over several days or<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> weeks in 96-80% EtOH. As Simon pointed out this quickly dehydrates<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> specimens and weakens the joints holding all the antennae, appendices,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> bristles of invertebrates. Another issue is that in unsorted malaise trap<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> samples there often is a thick deposit of specimens at the bottom of the<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> container. Because the diluted less high concentrated ethanol is heavier,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> it layers at the bottom of the jar (cf. whitefish jar). Inside malaise trap<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> containers, this diluted EtOH may get trapped in the thick specimen deposit.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Usually, I leave jars for few day to see if there are any unwanted<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> effects before moving them into the collection.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Hope this is useful, with best wishes<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Dirk<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <image001.png><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Am 07.05.2021 um 00:17 schrieb Simon Moore:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Thanks John and Tonya,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> What John says is true about the staging of alcohols and the final<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> concentrations. 80% was what I was advised at the NHM in London when I<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> worked there and by the time larger terrestrial vertebrates ?end up? in<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> 80%, you will often find that with the mix of lower grade alcohols from the<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> staging process, once things have settled down / equilibrated, then the net<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> result is around 70% anyway. Higher grade alcohols can lead to<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> embrittlement of certain tissues as well as evaporation issues.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> I have also found the staging process necessary for the more fragile<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> specimens as they undergo changes in Osmotic pressure during this process<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> which can cause syneresis or shrinkage in softer tissues.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> With all good wishes, Simon<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Simon Moore MIScT, RSci, FLS, ACR<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Conservator of Natural Sciences and Cutlery Historian,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> www.natural-history-conservation.com<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <image002.jpg><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> On 6 May 2021, at 22:50, John E Simmons <<a ymailto="mailto:simmons.johne@gmail.com" href="mailto:simmons.johne@gmail.com">simmons.johne@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Tonya,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Thank you for your kind words about my book. The recommendation for<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> staging up to 80% concentration was by made by my friend Simon Moore, who I<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> cited in that sentence. In general, I do not recommend using 80% ETOH as a<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> preservative for terrestrial vertebrates, but rather 70%. Preservation is<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> alcohol is a trade-off between dehydration of the specimens and providing<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> them suitable protection against biological deterioration. At 70%, ETOH is<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> a very good biocide; below that, not so good, and above 70%, too strong for<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> most specimens (note that there are some instances in which 80% might be<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> preferred).<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> I do not recommend using stronger alcohol as a hedge against<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> evaporation--that leads to uneven concentrations of preservatives and can<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> be a real mess to work with in a collection.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> For how-to instructions on preserving, transferring specimens, and<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> managing a fluid preserved collection, you might want to check<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Herpetological Collecting and Collections Management (3rd edition, 2015).<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> The instructions for preserving and managing fluid preserved animals will<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> work for most other specimens as well as for reptiles and amphibians.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Hope this helps,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> --John<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> John E. Simmons<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Writer and Museum Consultant<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Museologica<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> and<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Associate Curator of Collections<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Earth and Mineral Science Museum & Art Gallery<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Penn State University<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> and<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Investigador Asociado, Departamento de Ornitologia<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> On Thu, May 6, 2021 at 4:05 PM Haff, Tonya (NCMI, Crace)<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <<a ymailto="mailto:Tonya.Haff@csiro.au" href="mailto:Tonya.Haff@csiro.au">Tonya.Haff@csiro.au</a>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Hello all,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> I am enjoying reading John Simmon's fantastic book on fluid preservation.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> In it I read one suggestion for stepping specimens up out of formalin<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> fixative into preservation alcohol as follows: from 20% ETOH to 40% to 60%<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> and finally to 80%. We typically place our specimens in 70% ETOH, and I<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> know higher concentrations can cause some problems with specimen<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> dehydration. All our specimens are terrestrial vertebrates. I presume the<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> final 80% provides a buffer against ETOH evaporation or leaching of water<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> from the specimen into the fluid in the jar, to ensure that the alcohol<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> concentration in the preservation fluid stays sufficiently high? But to me<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> this is not quite clear. I wonder if any of you have thoughts on this, or<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> if you would be willing to share how you step your specimens up in ETOH?<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Thank you!<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Tonya<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Nhcoll-l mailing list<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <a ymailto="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <a href="https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l" target="_blank">https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> society. 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See <a href="http://www.spnhc.org " target="_blank">http://www.spnhc.org </a>for membership information.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> --<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Mare Nazaire, Ph.D.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Administrative Curator, Herbarium [RSA-POM]<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> California Botanic Garden<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Research Assistant Professor, Claremont Graduate University<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> 1500 North College Avenue<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Claremont, California 91711<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> 909.625.8767 ext. 268<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Nhcoll-l mailing list<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <a ymailto="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <a href="https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l" target="_blank">https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> society. See <a href="http://www.spnhc.org " target="_blank">http://www.spnhc.org </a>for membership information.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> --<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Mare Nazaire, Ph.D.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Administrative Curator, Herbarium [RSA-POM]<br></div><div dir="ltr">> California Botanic Garden<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Research Assistant Professor, Claremont Graduate University<br></div><div dir="ltr">> 1500 North College Avenue<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Claremont, California 91711<br></div><div dir="ltr">> 909.625.8767 ext. 268<br></div><div dir="ltr">> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Nhcoll-l mailing list<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <a ymailto="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">> <a href="https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l" target="_blank">https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">> NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose<br></div><div dir="ltr">> mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of<br></div><div dir="ltr">> natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to<br></div><div dir="ltr">> society. See <a href="http://www.spnhc.org " target="_blank">http://www.spnhc.org </a>for membership information.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate.<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">-------------- next part --------------<br></div><div dir="ltr">An HTML attachment was scrubbed...<br></div><div dir="ltr">URL: <<a href="http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210507/cc16c926/attachment-0001.html" target="_blank">http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210507/cc16c926/attachment-0001.html</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">-------------- next part --------------<br></div><div dir="ltr">A non-text attachment was scrubbed...<br></div><div dir="ltr">Name: PastedGraphic-2.tiff<br></div><div dir="ltr">Type: image/tiff<br></div><div dir="ltr">Size: 38900 bytes<br></div><div dir="ltr">Desc: not available<br></div><div dir="ltr">URL: <<a href="http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210507/cc16c926/attachment-0001.tiff" target="_blank">http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210507/cc16c926/attachment-0001.tiff</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">-------------- next part --------------<br></div><div dir="ltr">A non-text attachment was scrubbed...<br></div><div dir="ltr">Name: MA logo.jpg<br></div><div dir="ltr">Type: image/jpeg<br></div><div dir="ltr">Size: 19375 bytes<br></div><div dir="ltr">Desc: not available<br></div><div dir="ltr">URL: <<a href="http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210507/cc16c926/attachment-0001.jpg" target="_blank">http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210507/cc16c926/attachment-0001.jpg</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">------------------------------<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Message: 4<br></div><div dir="ltr">Date: Fri, 7 May 2021 09:02:29 -0700<br></div><div dir="ltr">From: Mare Nazaire <<a ymailto="mailto:mnazaire@calbg.org" href="mailto:mnazaire@calbg.org">mnazaire@calbg.org</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">To: John E Simmons <<a ymailto="mailto:simmons.johne@gmail.com" href="mailto:simmons.johne@gmail.com">simmons.johne@gmail.com</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">Cc: Simon Moore <<a ymailto="mailto:couteaufin@btinternet.com" href="mailto:couteaufin@btinternet.com">couteaufin@btinternet.com</a>>, NHCOLL-new<br></div><div dir="ltr"> <<a ymailto="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Alcohol concentration for terrestrial<br></div><div dir="ltr"> vertebrates<br></div><div dir="ltr">Message-ID:<br></div><div dir="ltr"> <<a ymailto="mailto:CAGsrPoKnjZjcjyUNX656KfoyCryKSsN0FUtUW3Ak6frNgBqPzA@mail.gmail.com" href="mailto:CAGsrPoKnjZjcjyUNX656KfoyCryKSsN0FUtUW3Ak6frNgBqPzA@mail.gmail.com">CAGsrPoKnjZjcjyUNX656KfoyCryKSsN0FUtUW3Ak6frNgBqPzA@mail.gmail.com</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Thank you for the citation and for all of this helpful information John!<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">On Fri, May 7, 2021 at 8:43 AM John E Simmons <<a ymailto="mailto:simmons.johne@gmail.com" href="mailto:simmons.johne@gmail.com">simmons.johne@gmail.com</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">> The reference for the book is:<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Simmons, John E. 2014. *Fluid Preservation: A Comprehensive Reference*.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Rowman & Littlefield. It is available from Amazon.com, from the publisher,<br></div><div dir="ltr">> and other sellers.<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> The book includes a discussion (pp 54-56) of botanical fluid preservation<br></div><div dir="ltr">> (thanks to Ann Pinzl for generously sharing with me her as yet unpublished<br></div><div dir="ltr">> research on this subject). Botanists have tended to use some strange<br></div><div dir="ltr">> mixtures, trying to preserve color in their specimens (particularly in<br></div><div dir="ltr">> flowers).<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> The use of beverage alcohol as a preservative has a long and fascinating<br></div><div dir="ltr">> history. Although most beverage alcohol is below 70%, it usually does a<br></div><div dir="ltr">> fairly good job of preservation (proof is approximately half the alcohol<br></div><div dir="ltr">> concentration, so a 20 proof spirit is about 40% ETOH). I have used<br></div><div dir="ltr">> beverage alcohol to preserve when nothing else was available, and have seen<br></div><div dir="ltr">> a lot of specimens preserved in it. Rum was commonly used because it was<br></div><div dir="ltr">> inexpensive (things such as brandy, which usually has a higher alcohol<br></div><div dir="ltr">> content than rum, actually work better).<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> Over the history of fluid preservation, there have been many attempts to<br></div><div dir="ltr">> improve the preservative properties of alcohol. In the days before we had<br></div><div dir="ltr">> an easy means to check the concentration, it was common to use alcohol<br></div><div dir="ltr">> after a second distillation, which usually meant around 60-65% (depending<br></div><div dir="ltr">> on the source), so such things as arsenic, mercuric chloride, and other<br></div><div dir="ltr">> chemicals were commonly added to "strengthen" it (they were really just<br></div><div dir="ltr">> making it a more effective biocide, but usually screwing up the specimen in<br></div><div dir="ltr">> the process).<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> --John<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> John E. Simmons<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Writer and Museum Consultant<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Museologica<br></div><div dir="ltr">> *and*<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Associate Curator of Collections<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Earth and Mineral Science Museum & Art Gallery<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Penn State University<br></div><div dir="ltr">> *and*<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Investigador Asociado, Departamento de Ornitologia<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> On Fri, May 7, 2021 at 10:56 AM Mare Nazaire <<a ymailto="mailto:mnazaire@calbg.org" href="mailto:mnazaire@calbg.org">mnazaire@calbg.org</a>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Thank you Simon and Dirk for your feedback on this.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> I had actually spoken with the botanist who originally prepared the<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> specimens back in the 60's - he noted that they were preserved in 50% EtOH.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> He also noted that when he had traveled to other countries for field work<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> and EtOH wasn't available he would use rum! So there could be some other<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> residual components in these fluid preserved specimens!<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> On Fri, May 7, 2021 at 7:18 AM Simon Moore <<a ymailto="mailto:couteaufin@btinternet.com" href="mailto:couteaufin@btinternet.com">couteaufin@btinternet.com</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Dear Mare,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> I have always fixed fresh plant material in Kew mix and then transferred<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> to Copenhagen mixture which is similar but minus the formalin. As Dirk has<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> pointed out, the formulae (proportions) do vary slightly between<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> institutions, some prefer more glycerine in their mixes but which can make<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> the specimens rather translucent which is why others prefer a lower<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> concentration. There is also the slight problem of osmotic pressure<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> differential and specimens floating until they equilibrate!<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Make sure that the pH of the solutions is a near to 7.0 as possible.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> With all good wishes, Simon<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Simon Moore MIScT, RSci, FLS, ACR<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Conservator of Natural Sciences and Cutlery Historian,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> www.natural-history-conservation.com<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> On 7 May 2021, at 13:53, Mare Nazaire <<a ymailto="mailto:mnazaire@calbg.org" href="mailto:mnazaire@calbg.org">mnazaire@calbg.org</a>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> This is a very informative and helpful thread - thank you for this!<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> I presume that 70% concentration would also be suitable for plant<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> material preserved in spirits? I ask because I've recently discovered that<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> some of our collection of fluid preserved plant material is at a<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> concentration of 50% and I wondered if it is advisable to keep them as is<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> or change their concentration to 70%. Are there recommendations in John<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Simmon's book for preserving plant specimens in alcohol and could you also<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> provide the citation for this book?<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Thank you,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> ~Mare<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> On Fri, May 7, 2021 at 12:48 AM Erik ?hlander <<a ymailto="mailto:Erik.Ahlander@nrm.se" href="mailto:Erik.Ahlander@nrm.se">Erik.Ahlander@nrm.se</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Dear Tonya, John, Simon, Dirk - well all,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Also I agree. Since I will soon retire I want to share some experiences:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> When we started to take care of the collection of wet vertebrates in<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Stockholm in 1975 there was no overlap in time (well 1 week) with the<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> previous staff (the previous curator was employed 1934-1974). So we had to<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> invent the wheel. The initial ambition was to keep a concentration between<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> 70 and 80% ethanol. (We also tested the new suggested conservation fluid<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Phenoxetol, which after some years showed to be a disaster). To compensate<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> for evaporation, we tried to stick to 80%. New material was fixed in<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> formalin for at least a week, washing in water, 20% ethanol for two days or<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> more, 50% for two days or more, and final storage in 80%. Also we removed<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> all bad jars from the collection ? and a bad jar was a jar that needed<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> topping. Expedition material was sorted and identified etc after this stage<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> with the result that many specimens was changed to 80% once more. It took<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> more than 10 years to realize that 80% was to strong. But also that every<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> change of alcohol, or topping, resulted in a higher concentration ethanol<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> since the lowering effect of the alcohol concentration through remnants of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> the previus stage fluid inside the specimens was removed. Also the small<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> amounts of formalin in the specimen was reduced for each change of fluid.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Especially for tiny fish we could find obvious shrinking. Today we are<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> careful<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> 1. To keep the specimens in 70% (not more, not less)<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> 2. Not to rinse to much in water. Rather remove the formalin from<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> the surface of the specimen only.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> 3. Don?t change the fluid if it is not necessary.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> 4. If you have to remove all fluid, add maybe 80-90% of fresh<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> (70%) ethanol and the rest used ethanol from another specimen.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> All formalin fixed specimens has a small amount of formalin left - that<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> is good.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Some substances in the specimen dissolve in the alcohol (just look at an<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> alcohol preserved Anguilla?). Every change of alcohol add to the removing<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> of lipids etc - that is bad.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> As far as we know, formalin was used for the first time at the NRM in<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> 1904, but only occasionally! Still in the 1940s ethanol was commonly used<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> for fixation in the field. When the museum moved from downtown Stockholm to<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> north of the city in 1916, the economy for alcohol was reduced due to world<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> war I (otherwise Sweden was not involved). This led to the invention to use<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> a diluted formalin solution for the exhibition jars (for specimens fixed in<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> ethanol!). The research collection continued to be stored in ethanol. Our<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> collection is old. We estimate that our oldest specimens in ethanol are<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> from the 1720s (from the Seba collection). Still many specimens from before<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> 1758 are in remarkable good condition. In some specimens it is even<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> possible to get small pieces of DNA with ancient DNA technic ? but usually<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> not. This sounds contradicting to some statements above. We don?t know too<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> much about the preservation history of these specimens, but what we know<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> might be of general interest. The initial fixation and preservation was in<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> distilled wine (=?spiritus vini?). We don?t know the concentration, and<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> probably it was not pure ethanol, but also contained small amount of other<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> fractions from the wine, more like strong cognac. The Royal collection (of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> king Adolf Fredrik with many Linnaean types) was donated to the<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in 1801. NRM was founded in 1819, but<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> immediately in practice fused with the Academy. In 1848 the collections of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> the Academy was formally donated to the Museum. From the 1740s to 1970 this<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> collection of vertebrates in alcohol was moved four times. Jars and fluid<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> was probably changed twice. But most of the time the collection was stored<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> cool and dark. Glasses and fluids was expensive so the ratio: specimen<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> volume / conservation fluid volume was high up to 1900. From 1801-1898 the<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> major part seems to have been almost untouched, except that the whole<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> collection was moved 1500 meters in 1829.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> I was once asked how long a specimen could be stored in alcohol. With<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> the reservation that our old specimens will be stored like today, no sudden<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> disasters etc (and no climate change), I decided that to 2220 = 500 years<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> would be possible, maybe 1000 years.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Erik ?hlander<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> vertebrate zoology and museum history<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> ZOO<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Swedish Museum of Natural History<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> PO Box 50007<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> SE-10405 Stockholm<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Sweden<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> +46 0 8 5195 4118<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> +46 0 70 225 2716<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <a ymailto="mailto:erik.ahlander@nrm.se" href="mailto:erik.ahlander@nrm.se">erik.ahlander@nrm.se</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Fr?n: Nhcoll-l <<a ymailto="mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu">nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu</a>> F?r Dirk Neumann<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Skickat: den 7 maj 2021 08:36<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Till: <a ymailto="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> ?mne: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Alcohol concentration for terrestrial vertebrates<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Hi Tonya (and John and Simon ;-)<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> concur with John and Simon, specimens should be kept in 70%; Simon<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> pointed to the diluting effects and the image below nicely illustrates<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> this: even if you use more steps for transferring specimens (0/20/40/60/80<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> vs. 20/30/50/70), tissues are still soaked with 60% or less high<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> concentrated EtOH.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Depending on size, body mass and number of specimens (i.e. amount of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> tissue in the jar), the effect can be considerable (see "staining" in the<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> images below; in the left one, body fluids released from these tall<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> whitefish are indicated by the reddish haemoglobin stain at the bottom of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> the jar, the overall greenish colour in the right comes from chlorophyll<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> released from the guts of these herbivorous distichodus fish).<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> I do the initial filling usually with 73-75% EtOH to reach 70%; aside<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> from vertebrates high EtOH concentrations can be an issue in malaise traps<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> because there the specimens usually are collected over several days or<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> weeks in 96-80% EtOH. As Simon pointed out this quickly dehydrates<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> specimens and weakens the joints holding all the antennae, appendices,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> bristles of invertebrates. Another issue is that in unsorted malaise trap<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> samples there often is a thick deposit of specimens at the bottom of the<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> container. Because the diluted less high concentrated ethanol is heavier,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> it layers at the bottom of the jar (cf. whitefish jar). Inside malaise trap<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> containers, this diluted EtOH may get trapped in the thick specimen deposit.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Usually, I leave jars for few day to see if there are any unwanted<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> effects before moving them into the collection.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Hope this is useful, with best wishes<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Dirk<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <image001.png><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Am 07.05.2021 um 00:17 schrieb Simon Moore:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Thanks John and Tonya,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> What John says is true about the staging of alcohols and the final<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> concentrations. 80% was what I was advised at the NHM in London when I<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> worked there and by the time larger terrestrial vertebrates ?end up? in<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> 80%, you will often find that with the mix of lower grade alcohols from the<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> staging process, once things have settled down / equilibrated, then the net<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> result is around 70% anyway. Higher grade alcohols can lead to<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> embrittlement of certain tissues as well as evaporation issues.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> I have also found the staging process necessary for the more fragile<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> specimens as they undergo changes in Osmotic pressure during this process<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> which can cause syneresis or shrinkage in softer tissues.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> With all good wishes, Simon<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Simon Moore MIScT, RSci, FLS, ACR<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Conservator of Natural Sciences and Cutlery Historian,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> www.natural-history-conservation.com<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <image002.jpg><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> On 6 May 2021, at 22:50, John E Simmons <<a ymailto="mailto:simmons.johne@gmail.com" href="mailto:simmons.johne@gmail.com">simmons.johne@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Tonya,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Thank you for your kind words about my book. The recommendation for<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> staging up to 80% concentration was by made by my friend Simon Moore, who I<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> cited in that sentence. In general, I do not recommend using 80% ETOH as a<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> preservative for terrestrial vertebrates, but rather 70%. Preservation is<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> alcohol is a trade-off between dehydration of the specimens and providing<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> them suitable protection against biological deterioration. At 70%, ETOH is<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> a very good biocide; below that, not so good, and above 70%, too strong for<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> most specimens (note that there are some instances in which 80% might be<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> preferred).<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> I do not recommend using stronger alcohol as a hedge against<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> evaporation--that leads to uneven concentrations of preservatives and can<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> be a real mess to work with in a collection.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> For how-to instructions on preserving, transferring specimens, and<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> managing a fluid preserved collection, you might want to check<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Herpetological Collecting and Collections Management (3rd edition, 2015).<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> The instructions for preserving and managing fluid preserved animals will<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> work for most other specimens as well as for reptiles and amphibians.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Hope this helps,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> --John<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> John E. Simmons<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Writer and Museum Consultant<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Museologica<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> and<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Associate Curator of Collections<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Earth and Mineral Science Museum & Art Gallery<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Penn State University<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> and<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Investigador Asociado, Departamento de Ornitologia<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> On Thu, May 6, 2021 at 4:05 PM Haff, Tonya (NCMI, Crace)<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <<a ymailto="mailto:Tonya.Haff@csiro.au" href="mailto:Tonya.Haff@csiro.au">Tonya.Haff@csiro.au</a>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Hello all,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> I am enjoying reading John Simmon's fantastic book on fluid<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> preservation. In it I read one suggestion for stepping specimens up out of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> formalin fixative into preservation alcohol as follows: from 20% ETOH to<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> 40% to 60% and finally to 80%. We typically place our specimens in 70%<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> ETOH, and I know higher concentrations can cause some problems with<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> specimen dehydration. All our specimens are terrestrial vertebrates. I<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> presume the final 80% provides a buffer against ETOH evaporation or<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> leaching of water from the specimen into the fluid in the jar, to ensure<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> that the alcohol concentration in the preservation fluid stays sufficiently<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> high? But to me this is not quite clear. I wonder if any of you have<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> thoughts on this, or if you would be willing to share how you step your<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> specimens up in ETOH?<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Thank you!<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Tonya<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Nhcoll-l mailing list<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <a ymailto="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <a href="https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l" target="_blank">https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> society. See <a href="http://www.spnhc.org " target="_blank">http://www.spnhc.org </a>for membership information.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Nhcoll-l mailing list<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <a ymailto="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <a href="https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l" target="_blank">https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> society. See <a href="http://www.spnhc.org " target="_blank">http://www.spnhc.org </a>for membership information.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Nhcoll-l mailing list<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <a ymailto="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <a href="https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l" target="_blank">https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> society. See <a href="http://www.spnhc.org " target="_blank">http://www.spnhc.org </a>for membership information.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> --<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <image004.png><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Dirk Neumann<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Tel: 089 / 8107-111<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Fax: 089 / 8107-300<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> neumann(a)snsb.de<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Postanschrift:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Staatliche Naturwissenschaftliche Sammlungen Bayerns<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Zoologische Staatssammlung M?nchen<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Dirk Neumann, Sektion Ichthyologie / DNA-Storage<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> M?nchhausenstr. 21<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> 81247 M?nchen<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Besuchen Sie unsere Sammlung:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <a href="http://www.zsm.mwn.de/sektion/ichthyologie-home/" target="_blank">http://www.zsm.mwn.de/sektion/ichthyologie-home/</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> ---------<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Dirk Neumann<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Tel: +49-89-8107-111<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Fax: +49-89-8107-300<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> neumann(a)snsb.de<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> postal address:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Bavarian Natural History Collections<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> The Bavarian State Collection of Zoology<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Dirk Neumann, Section Ichthyology / DNA-Storage<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Muenchhausenstr. 21<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> 81247 Munich (Germany)<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Visit our section at:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <a href="http://www.zsm.mwn.de/sektion/ichthyologie-home/" target="_blank">http://www.zsm.mwn.de/sektion/ichthyologie-home/</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Nhcoll-l mailing list<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <a ymailto="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <a href="https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l" target="_blank">https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> society. See <a href="http://www.spnhc.org " target="_blank">http://www.spnhc.org </a>for membership information.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> --<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Mare Nazaire, Ph.D.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Administrative Curator, Herbarium [RSA-POM]<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> California Botanic Garden<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Research Assistant Professor, Claremont Graduate University<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> 1500 North College Avenue<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Claremont, California 91711<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> 909.625.8767 ext. 268<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Nhcoll-l mailing list<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <a ymailto="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <a href="https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l" target="_blank">https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> society. See <a href="http://www.spnhc.org " target="_blank">http://www.spnhc.org </a>for membership information.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> --<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Mare Nazaire, Ph.D.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Administrative Curator, Herbarium [RSA-POM]<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> California Botanic Garden<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Research Assistant Professor, Claremont Graduate University<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> 1500 North College Avenue<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Claremont, California 91711<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> 909.625.8767 ext. 268<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Nhcoll-l mailing list<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <a ymailto="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <a href="https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l" target="_blank">https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> society. See <a href="http://www.spnhc.org " target="_blank">http://www.spnhc.org </a>for membership information.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">-- <br></div><div dir="ltr">Mare Nazaire, Ph.D.<br></div><div dir="ltr">Administrative Curator, Herbarium [RSA-POM]<br></div><div dir="ltr">California Botanic Garden<br></div><div dir="ltr">Research Assistant Professor, Claremont Graduate University<br></div><div dir="ltr">1500 North College Avenue<br></div><div dir="ltr">Claremont, California 91711<br></div><div dir="ltr">909.625.8767 ext. 268<br></div><div dir="ltr">-------------- next part --------------<br></div><div dir="ltr">An HTML attachment was scrubbed...<br></div><div dir="ltr">URL: <<a href="http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210507/668dacaa/attachment-0001.html" target="_blank">http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210507/668dacaa/attachment-0001.html</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">-------------- next part --------------<br></div><div dir="ltr">A non-text attachment was scrubbed...<br></div><div dir="ltr">Name: PastedGraphic-2.tiff<br></div><div dir="ltr">Type: image/tiff<br></div><div dir="ltr">Size: 38900 bytes<br></div><div dir="ltr">Desc: not available<br></div><div dir="ltr">URL: <<a href="http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210507/668dacaa/attachment-0001.tiff" target="_blank">http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210507/668dacaa/attachment-0001.tiff</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">-------------- next part --------------<br></div><div dir="ltr">A non-text attachment was scrubbed...<br></div><div dir="ltr">Name: MA logo.jpg<br></div><div dir="ltr">Type: image/jpeg<br></div><div dir="ltr">Size: 19375 bytes<br></div><div dir="ltr">Desc: not available<br></div><div dir="ltr">URL: <<a href="http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210507/668dacaa/attachment-0001.jpg" target="_blank">http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210507/668dacaa/attachment-0001.jpg</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">------------------------------<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Message: 5<br></div><div dir="ltr">Date: Fri, 7 May 2021 12:21:02 -0400<br></div><div dir="ltr">From: John E Simmons <<a ymailto="mailto:simmons.johne@gmail.com" href="mailto:simmons.johne@gmail.com">simmons.johne@gmail.com</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">To: Mare Nazaire <<a ymailto="mailto:mnazaire@calbg.org" href="mailto:mnazaire@calbg.org">mnazaire@calbg.org</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">Cc: Simon Moore <<a ymailto="mailto:couteaufin@btinternet.com" href="mailto:couteaufin@btinternet.com">couteaufin@btinternet.com</a>>, NHCOLL-new<br></div><div dir="ltr"> <<a ymailto="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Alcohol concentration for terrestrial<br></div><div dir="ltr"> vertebrates<br></div><div dir="ltr">Message-ID:<br></div><div dir="ltr"> <CAF7GCDaA_bUkt+HwdB+XEj0OszL-5oPVFsdtVC=<a ymailto="mailto:2NkzMfoneQA@mail.gmail.com" href="mailto:2NkzMfoneQA@mail.gmail.com">2NkzMfoneQA@mail.gmail.com</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Oops, I made a mistake in my previous response. Thanks to Peter Rauch for<br></div><div dir="ltr">catching it: Proof is actually about TWICE what the ETOH concentration is,<br></div><div dir="ltr">so a 40 proof liquor would be about 20% alcohol.<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">The concept of proof goes back to 1705 when some measure was needed to test<br></div><div dir="ltr">the concentration of alcohol. In England, 100 proof was defined as a<br></div><div dir="ltr">concentration of 11 parts alcohol and 10 parts water, which would permit<br></div><div dir="ltr">the ignition of gunpowder. The modern definition of proof is a mixture of<br></div><div dir="ltr">alcohol and water with a specific gravity of 0.91984, or about twice the<br></div><div dir="ltr">concentration of the alcohol.<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">--John<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">John E. Simmons<br></div><div dir="ltr">Writer and Museum Consultant<br></div><div dir="ltr">Museologica<br></div><div dir="ltr">*and*<br></div><div dir="ltr">Associate Curator of Collections<br></div><div dir="ltr">Earth and Mineral Science Museum & Art Gallery<br></div><div dir="ltr">Penn State University<br></div><div dir="ltr">*and*<br></div><div dir="ltr">Investigador Asociado, Departamento de Ornitologia<br></div><div dir="ltr">Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">On Fri, May 7, 2021 at 12:02 PM Mare Nazaire <<a ymailto="mailto:mnazaire@calbg.org" href="mailto:mnazaire@calbg.org">mnazaire@calbg.org</a>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">> Thank you for the citation and for all of this helpful information John!<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> On Fri, May 7, 2021 at 8:43 AM John E Simmons <<a ymailto="mailto:simmons.johne@gmail.com" href="mailto:simmons.johne@gmail.com">simmons.johne@gmail.com</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> The reference for the book is:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Simmons, John E. 2014. *Fluid Preservation: A Comprehensive Reference*.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Rowman & Littlefield. It is available from Amazon.com, from the publisher,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> and other sellers.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> The book includes a discussion (pp 54-56) of botanical fluid preservation<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> (thanks to Ann Pinzl for generously sharing with me her as yet unpublished<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> research on this subject). Botanists have tended to use some strange<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> mixtures, trying to preserve color in their specimens (particularly in<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> flowers).<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> The use of beverage alcohol as a preservative has a long and fascinating<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> history. Although most beverage alcohol is below 70%, it usually does a<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> fairly good job of preservation (proof is approximately half the alcohol<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> concentration, so a 20 proof spirit is about 40% ETOH). I have used<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> beverage alcohol to preserve when nothing else was available, and have seen<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> a lot of specimens preserved in it. Rum was commonly used because it was<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> inexpensive (things such as brandy, which usually has a higher alcohol<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> content than rum, actually work better).<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Over the history of fluid preservation, there have been many attempts to<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> improve the preservative properties of alcohol. In the days before we had<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> an easy means to check the concentration, it was common to use alcohol<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> after a second distillation, which usually meant around 60-65% (depending<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> on the source), so such things as arsenic, mercuric chloride, and other<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> chemicals were commonly added to "strengthen" it (they were really just<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> making it a more effective biocide, but usually screwing up the specimen in<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> the process).<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> --John<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> John E. Simmons<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Writer and Museum Consultant<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Museologica<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> *and*<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Associate Curator of Collections<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Earth and Mineral Science Museum & Art Gallery<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Penn State University<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> *and*<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Investigador Asociado, Departamento de Ornitologia<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> On Fri, May 7, 2021 at 10:56 AM Mare Nazaire <<a ymailto="mailto:mnazaire@calbg.org" href="mailto:mnazaire@calbg.org">mnazaire@calbg.org</a>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Thank you Simon and Dirk for your feedback on this.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> I had actually spoken with the botanist who originally prepared the<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> specimens back in the 60's - he noted that they were preserved in 50% EtOH.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> He also noted that when he had traveled to other countries for field work<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> and EtOH wasn't available he would use rum! So there could be some other<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> residual components in these fluid preserved specimens!<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> On Fri, May 7, 2021 at 7:18 AM Simon Moore <<a ymailto="mailto:couteaufin@btinternet.com" href="mailto:couteaufin@btinternet.com">couteaufin@btinternet.com</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Dear Mare,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> I have always fixed fresh plant material in Kew mix and then<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> transferred to Copenhagen mixture which is similar but minus the formalin.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> As Dirk has pointed out, the formulae (proportions) do vary slightly<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> between institutions, some prefer more glycerine in their mixes but which<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> can make the specimens rather translucent which is why others prefer a<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> lower concentration. There is also the slight problem of osmotic pressure<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> differential and specimens floating until they equilibrate!<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Make sure that the pH of the solutions is a near to 7.0 as possible.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> With all good wishes, Simon<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Simon Moore MIScT, RSci, FLS, ACR<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Conservator of Natural Sciences and Cutlery Historian,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> www.natural-history-conservation.com<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> On 7 May 2021, at 13:53, Mare Nazaire <<a ymailto="mailto:mnazaire@calbg.org" href="mailto:mnazaire@calbg.org">mnazaire@calbg.org</a>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> This is a very informative and helpful thread - thank you for this!<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> I presume that 70% concentration would also be suitable for plant<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> material preserved in spirits? I ask because I've recently discovered that<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> some of our collection of fluid preserved plant material is at a<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> concentration of 50% and I wondered if it is advisable to keep them as is<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> or change their concentration to 70%. Are there recommendations in John<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Simmon's book for preserving plant specimens in alcohol and could you also<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> provide the citation for this book?<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Thank you,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> ~Mare<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> On Fri, May 7, 2021 at 12:48 AM Erik ?hlander <<a ymailto="mailto:Erik.Ahlander@nrm.se" href="mailto:Erik.Ahlander@nrm.se">Erik.Ahlander@nrm.se</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Dear Tonya, John, Simon, Dirk - well all,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Also I agree. Since I will soon retire I want to share some experiences:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> When we started to take care of the collection of wet vertebrates in<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Stockholm in 1975 there was no overlap in time (well 1 week) with the<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> previous staff (the previous curator was employed 1934-1974). So we had to<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> invent the wheel. The initial ambition was to keep a concentration between<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> 70 and 80% ethanol. (We also tested the new suggested conservation fluid<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Phenoxetol, which after some years showed to be a disaster). To compensate<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> for evaporation, we tried to stick to 80%. New material was fixed in<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> formalin for at least a week, washing in water, 20% ethanol for two days or<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> more, 50% for two days or more, and final storage in 80%. Also we removed<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> all bad jars from the collection ? and a bad jar was a jar that needed<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> topping. Expedition material was sorted and identified etc after this stage<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> with the result that many specimens was changed to 80% once more. It took<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> more than 10 years to realize that 80% was to strong. But also that every<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> change of alcohol, or topping, resulted in a higher concentration ethanol<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> since the lowering effect of the alcohol concentration through remnants of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> the previus stage fluid inside the specimens was removed. Also the small<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> amounts of formalin in the specimen was reduced for each change of fluid.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Especially for tiny fish we could find obvious shrinking. Today we are<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> careful<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> 1. To keep the specimens in 70% (not more, not less)<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> 2. Not to rinse to much in water. Rather remove the formalin from<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> the surface of the specimen only.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> 3. Don?t change the fluid if it is not necessary.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> 4. If you have to remove all fluid, add maybe 80-90% of fresh<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> (70%) ethanol and the rest used ethanol from another specimen.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> All formalin fixed specimens has a small amount of formalin left - that<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> is good.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Some substances in the specimen dissolve in the alcohol (just look at<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> an alcohol preserved Anguilla?). Every change of alcohol add to the<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> removing of lipids etc - that is bad.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> As far as we know, formalin was used for the first time at the NRM in<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> 1904, but only occasionally! Still in the 1940s ethanol was commonly used<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> for fixation in the field. When the museum moved from downtown Stockholm to<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> north of the city in 1916, the economy for alcohol was reduced due to world<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> war I (otherwise Sweden was not involved). This led to the invention to use<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> a diluted formalin solution for the exhibition jars (for specimens fixed in<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> ethanol!). The research collection continued to be stored in ethanol. Our<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> collection is old. We estimate that our oldest specimens in ethanol are<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> from the 1720s (from the Seba collection). Still many specimens from before<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> 1758 are in remarkable good condition. In some specimens it is even<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> possible to get small pieces of DNA with ancient DNA technic ? but usually<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> not. This sounds contradicting to some statements above. We don?t know too<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> much about the preservation history of these specimens, but what we know<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> might be of general interest. The initial fixation and preservation was in<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> distilled wine (=?spiritus vini?). We don?t know the concentration, and<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> probably it was not pure ethanol, but also contained small amount of other<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> fractions from the wine, more like strong cognac. The Royal collection (of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> king Adolf Fredrik with many Linnaean types) was donated to the<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in 1801. NRM was founded in 1819, but<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> immediately in practice fused with the Academy. In 1848 the collections of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> the Academy was formally donated to the Museum. From the 1740s to 1970 this<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> collection of vertebrates in alcohol was moved four times. Jars and fluid<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> was probably changed twice. But most of the time the collection was stored<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> cool and dark. Glasses and fluids was expensive so the ratio: specimen<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> volume / conservation fluid volume was high up to 1900. From 1801-1898 the<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> major part seems to have been almost untouched, except that the whole<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> collection was moved 1500 meters in 1829.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> I was once asked how long a specimen could be stored in alcohol. With<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> the reservation that our old specimens will be stored like today, no sudden<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> disasters etc (and no climate change), I decided that to 2220 = 500 years<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> would be possible, maybe 1000 years.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Erik ?hlander<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> vertebrate zoology and museum history<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> ZOO<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Swedish Museum of Natural History<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> PO Box 50007<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> SE-10405 Stockholm<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Sweden<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> +46 0 8 5195 4118<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> +46 0 70 225 2716<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> <a ymailto="mailto:erik.ahlander@nrm.se" href="mailto:erik.ahlander@nrm.se">erik.ahlander@nrm.se</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Fr?n: Nhcoll-l <<a ymailto="mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu">nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu</a>> F?r Dirk Neumann<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Skickat: den 7 maj 2021 08:36<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Till: <a ymailto="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> ?mne: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Alcohol concentration for terrestrial vertebrates<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Hi Tonya (and John and Simon ;-)<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> concur with John and Simon, specimens should be kept in 70%; Simon<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> pointed to the diluting effects and the image below nicely illustrates<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> this: even if you use more steps for transferring specimens (0/20/40/60/80<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> vs. 20/30/50/70), tissues are still soaked with 60% or less high<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> concentrated EtOH.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Depending on size, body mass and number of specimens (i.e. amount of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> tissue in the jar), the effect can be considerable (see "staining" in the<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> images below; in the left one, body fluids released from these tall<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> whitefish are indicated by the reddish haemoglobin stain at the bottom of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> the jar, the overall greenish colour in the right comes from chlorophyll<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> released from the guts of these herbivorous distichodus fish).<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> I do the initial filling usually with 73-75% EtOH to reach 70%; aside<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> from vertebrates high EtOH concentrations can be an issue in malaise traps<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> because there the specimens usually are collected over several days or<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> weeks in 96-80% EtOH. As Simon pointed out this quickly dehydrates<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> specimens and weakens the joints holding all the antennae, appendices,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> bristles of invertebrates. Another issue is that in unsorted malaise trap<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> samples there often is a thick deposit of specimens at the bottom of the<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> container. Because the diluted less high concentrated ethanol is heavier,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> it layers at the bottom of the jar (cf. whitefish jar). Inside malaise trap<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> containers, this diluted EtOH may get trapped in the thick specimen deposit.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Usually, I leave jars for few day to see if there are any unwanted<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> effects before moving them into the collection.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Hope this is useful, with best wishes<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Dirk<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> <image001.png><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Am 07.05.2021 um 00:17 schrieb Simon Moore:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Thanks John and Tonya,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> What John says is true about the staging of alcohols and the final<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> concentrations. 80% was what I was advised at the NHM in London when I<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> worked there and by the time larger terrestrial vertebrates ?end up? in<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> 80%, you will often find that with the mix of lower grade alcohols from the<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> staging process, once things have settled down / equilibrated, then the net<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> result is around 70% anyway. Higher grade alcohols can lead to<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> embrittlement of certain tissues as well as evaporation issues.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> I have also found the staging process necessary for the more fragile<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> specimens as they undergo changes in Osmotic pressure during this process<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> which can cause syneresis or shrinkage in softer tissues.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> With all good wishes, Simon<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Simon Moore MIScT, RSci, FLS, ACR<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Conservator of Natural Sciences and Cutlery Historian,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> www.natural-history-conservation.com<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> <image002.jpg><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> On 6 May 2021, at 22:50, John E Simmons <<a ymailto="mailto:simmons.johne@gmail.com" href="mailto:simmons.johne@gmail.com">simmons.johne@gmail.com</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Tonya,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Thank you for your kind words about my book. The recommendation for<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> staging up to 80% concentration was by made by my friend Simon Moore, who I<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> cited in that sentence. In general, I do not recommend using 80% ETOH as a<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> preservative for terrestrial vertebrates, but rather 70%. Preservation is<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> alcohol is a trade-off between dehydration of the specimens and providing<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> them suitable protection against biological deterioration. At 70%, ETOH is<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> a very good biocide; below that, not so good, and above 70%, too strong for<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> most specimens (note that there are some instances in which 80% might be<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> preferred).<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> I do not recommend using stronger alcohol as a hedge against<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> evaporation--that leads to uneven concentrations of preservatives and can<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> be a real mess to work with in a collection.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> For how-to instructions on preserving, transferring specimens, and<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> managing a fluid preserved collection, you might want to check<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Herpetological Collecting and Collections Management (3rd edition, 2015).<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> The instructions for preserving and managing fluid preserved animals will<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> work for most other specimens as well as for reptiles and amphibians.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Hope this helps,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> --John<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> John E. Simmons<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Writer and Museum Consultant<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Museologica<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> and<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Associate Curator of Collections<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Earth and Mineral Science Museum & Art Gallery<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Penn State University<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> and<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Investigador Asociado, Departamento de Ornitologia<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Lima<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> On Thu, May 6, 2021 at 4:05 PM Haff, Tonya (NCMI, Crace)<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> <<a ymailto="mailto:Tonya.Haff@csiro.au" href="mailto:Tonya.Haff@csiro.au">Tonya.Haff@csiro.au</a>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Hello all,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> I am enjoying reading John Simmon's fantastic book on fluid<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> preservation. In it I read one suggestion for stepping specimens up out of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> formalin fixative into preservation alcohol as follows: from 20% ETOH to<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> 40% to 60% and finally to 80%. We typically place our specimens in 70%<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> ETOH, and I know higher concentrations can cause some problems with<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> specimen dehydration. All our specimens are terrestrial vertebrates. I<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> presume the final 80% provides a buffer against ETOH evaporation or<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> leaching of water from the specimen into the fluid in the jar, to ensure<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> that the alcohol concentration in the preservation fluid stays sufficiently<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> high? But to me this is not quite clear. I wonder if any of you have<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> thoughts on this, or if you would be willing to share how you step your<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> specimens up in ETOH?<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Thank you!<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Tonya<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Nhcoll-l mailing list<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> <a ymailto="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> <a href="https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l" target="_blank">https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> society. See <a href="http://www.spnhc.org " target="_blank">http://www.spnhc.org </a>for membership information.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Nhcoll-l mailing list<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> <a ymailto="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> <a href="https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l" target="_blank">https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> society. 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See <a href="http://www.spnhc.org " target="_blank">http://www.spnhc.org </a>for membership information.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> --<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Mare Nazaire, Ph.D.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Administrative Curator, Herbarium [RSA-POM]<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> California Botanic Garden<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Research Assistant Professor, Claremont Graduate University<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> 1500 North College Avenue<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Claremont, California 91711<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> 909.625.8767 ext. 268<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Nhcoll-l mailing list<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> <a ymailto="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> <a href="https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l" target="_blank">https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> society. See <a href="http://www.spnhc.org " target="_blank">http://www.spnhc.org </a>for membership information.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>> Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> --<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Mare Nazaire, Ph.D.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Administrative Curator, Herbarium [RSA-POM]<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> California Botanic Garden<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Research Assistant Professor, Claremont Graduate University<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> 1500 North College Avenue<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Claremont, California 91711<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> 909.625.8767 ext. 268<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Nhcoll-l mailing list<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <a ymailto="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <a href="https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l" target="_blank">https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> society. See <a href="http://www.spnhc.org " target="_blank">http://www.spnhc.org </a>for membership information.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> --<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Mare Nazaire, Ph.D.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Administrative Curator, Herbarium [RSA-POM]<br></div><div dir="ltr">> California Botanic Garden<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Research Assistant Professor, Claremont Graduate University<br></div><div dir="ltr">> 1500 North College Avenue<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Claremont, California 91711<br></div><div dir="ltr">> 909.625.8767 ext. 268<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">-------------- next part --------------<br></div><div dir="ltr">An HTML attachment was scrubbed...<br></div><div dir="ltr">URL: <<a href="http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210507/1f022af4/attachment-0001.html" target="_blank">http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210507/1f022af4/attachment-0001.html</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">-------------- next part --------------<br></div><div dir="ltr">A non-text attachment was scrubbed...<br></div><div dir="ltr">Name: PastedGraphic-2.tiff<br></div><div dir="ltr">Type: image/tiff<br></div><div dir="ltr">Size: 38900 bytes<br></div><div dir="ltr">Desc: not available<br></div><div dir="ltr">URL: <<a href="http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210507/1f022af4/attachment-0001.tiff" target="_blank">http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210507/1f022af4/attachment-0001.tiff</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">-------------- next part --------------<br></div><div dir="ltr">A non-text attachment was scrubbed...<br></div><div dir="ltr">Name: MA logo.jpg<br></div><div dir="ltr">Type: image/jpeg<br></div><div dir="ltr">Size: 19375 bytes<br></div><div dir="ltr">Desc: not available<br></div><div dir="ltr">URL: <<a href="http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210507/1f022af4/attachment-0001.jpg" target="_blank">http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210507/1f022af4/attachment-0001.jpg</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">------------------------------<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Message: 6<br></div><div dir="ltr">Date: Fri, 7 May 2021 17:45:57 +0100<br></div><div dir="ltr">From: Simon Moore <<a ymailto="mailto:couteaufin@btinternet.com" href="mailto:couteaufin@btinternet.com">couteaufin@btinternet.com</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">To: John E Simmons <<a ymailto="mailto:simmons.johne@gmail.com" href="mailto:simmons.johne@gmail.com">simmons.johne@gmail.com</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">Cc: Mare Nazaire <<a ymailto="mailto:mnazaire@calbg.org" href="mailto:mnazaire@calbg.org">mnazaire@calbg.org</a>>, NHCOLL-new<br></div><div dir="ltr"> <<a ymailto="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Alcohol concentration for terrestrial<br></div><div dir="ltr"> vertebrates<br></div><div dir="ltr">Message-ID: <<a ymailto="mailto:A4B2DD3D-DE19-4C56-9A22-0567E0D1956B@btinternet.com" href="mailto:A4B2DD3D-DE19-4C56-9A22-0567E0D1956B@btinternet.com">A4B2DD3D-DE19-4C56-9A22-0567E0D1956B@btinternet.com</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">That?s true John,<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">You have to understand that anything weights and measures-wise that emanated from England before about 1900 was bound to be complicated!<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">With all good wishes, Simon<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">> On 7 May 2021, at 17:21, John E Simmons <<a ymailto="mailto:simmons.johne@gmail.com" href="mailto:simmons.johne@gmail.com">simmons.johne@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> Oops, I made a mistake in my previous response. Thanks to Peter Rauch for catching it: Proof is actually about TWICE what the ETOH concentration is, so a 40 proof liquor would be about 20% alcohol.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> The concept of proof goes back to 1705 when some measure was needed to test the concentration of alcohol. In England, 100 proof was defined as a concentration of 11 parts alcohol and 10 parts water, which would permit the ignition of gunpowder. The modern definition of proof is a mixture of alcohol and water with a specific gravity of 0.91984, or about twice the concentration of the alcohol.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> --John<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> John E. Simmons<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Writer and Museum Consultant<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Museologica<br></div><div dir="ltr">> and<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Associate Curator of Collections<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Earth and Mineral Science Museum & Art Gallery<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Penn State University<br></div><div dir="ltr">> and<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Investigador Asociado, Departamento de Ornitologia<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> On Fri, May 7, 2021 at 12:02 PM Mare Nazaire <<a ymailto="mailto:mnazaire@calbg.org" href="mailto:mnazaire@calbg.org">mnazaire@calbg.org</a>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Thank you for the citation and for all of this helpful information John!<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> On Fri, May 7, 2021 at 8:43 AM John E Simmons <<a ymailto="mailto:simmons.johne@gmail.com" href="mailto:simmons.johne@gmail.com">simmons.johne@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">> The reference for the book is:<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Simmons, John E. 2014. Fluid Preservation: A Comprehensive Reference. Rowman & Littlefield. It is available from Amazon.com, from the publisher, and other sellers.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> The book includes a discussion (pp 54-56) of botanical fluid preservation (thanks to Ann Pinzl for generously sharing with me her as yet unpublished research on this subject). Botanists have tended to use some strange mixtures, trying to preserve color in their specimens (particularly in flowers).<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> The use of beverage alcohol as a preservative has a long and fascinating history. Although most beverage alcohol is below 70%, it usually does a fairly good job of preservation (proof is approximately half the alcohol concentration, so a 20 proof spirit is about 40% ETOH). I have used beverage alcohol to preserve when nothing else was available, and have seen a lot of specimens preserved in it. Rum was commonly used because it was inexpensive (things such as brandy, which usually has a higher alcohol content than rum, actually work better).<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> Over the history of fluid preservation, there have been many attempts to improve the preservative properties of alcohol. In the days before we had an easy means to check the concentration, it was common to use alcohol after a second distillation, which usually meant around 60-65% (depending on the source), so such things as arsenic, mercuric chloride, and other chemicals were commonly added to "strengthen" it (they were really just making it a more effective biocide, but usually screwing up the specimen in the process).<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> --John<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> John E. Simmons<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Writer and Museum Consultant<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Museologica<br></div><div dir="ltr">> and<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Associate Curator of Collections<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Earth and Mineral Science Museum & Art Gallery<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Penn State University<br></div><div dir="ltr">> and<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Investigador Asociado, Departamento de Ornitologia<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> On Fri, May 7, 2021 at 10:56 AM Mare Nazaire <<a ymailto="mailto:mnazaire@calbg.org" href="mailto:mnazaire@calbg.org">mnazaire@calbg.org</a>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Thank you Simon and Dirk for your feedback on this.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> I had actually spoken with the botanist who originally prepared the specimens back in the 60's - he noted that they were preserved in 50% EtOH. He also noted that when he had traveled to other countries for field work and EtOH wasn't available he would use rum! So there could be some other residual components in these fluid preserved specimens!<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> On Fri, May 7, 2021 at 7:18 AM Simon Moore <<a ymailto="mailto:couteaufin@btinternet.com" href="mailto:couteaufin@btinternet.com">couteaufin@btinternet.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Dear Mare,<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> I have always fixed fresh plant material in Kew mix and then transferred to Copenhagen mixture which is similar but minus the formalin. As Dirk has pointed out, the formulae (proportions) do vary slightly between institutions, some prefer more glycerine in their mixes but which can make the specimens rather translucent which is why others prefer a lower concentration. There is also the slight problem of osmotic pressure differential and specimens floating until they equilibrate! <br></div><div dir="ltr">> Make sure that the pH of the solutions is a near to 7.0 as possible.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> With all good wishes, Simon<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> Simon Moore MIScT, RSci, FLS, ACR<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Conservator of Natural Sciences and Cutlery Historian,<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> www.natural-history-conservation.com<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <PastedGraphic-2.tiff><MA logo.jpg><br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> On 7 May 2021, at 13:53, Mare Nazaire <<a ymailto="mailto:mnazaire@calbg.org" href="mailto:mnazaire@calbg.org">mnazaire@calbg.org</a>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> This is a very informative and helpful thread - thank you for this!<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> I presume that 70% concentration would also be suitable for plant material preserved in spirits? I ask because I've recently discovered that some of our collection of fluid preserved plant material is at a concentration of 50% and I wondered if it is advisable to keep them as is or change their concentration to 70%. Are there recommendations in John Simmon's book for preserving plant specimens in alcohol and could you also provide the citation for this book?<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Thank you,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> ~Mare<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> On Fri, May 7, 2021 at 12:48 AM Erik ?hlander <<a ymailto="mailto:Erik.Ahlander@nrm.se" href="mailto:Erik.Ahlander@nrm.se">Erik.Ahlander@nrm.se</a>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Dear Tonya, John, Simon, Dirk - well all,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Also I agree. Since I will soon retire I want to share some experiences:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> When we started to take care of the collection of wet vertebrates in Stockholm in 1975 there was no overlap in time (well 1 week) with the previous staff (the previous curator was employed 1934-1974). So we had to invent the wheel. The initial ambition was to keep a concentration between 70 and 80% ethanol. (We also tested the new suggested conservation fluid Phenoxetol, which after some years showed to be a disaster). To compensate for evaporation, we tried to stick to 80%. New material was fixed in formalin for at least a week, washing in water, 20% ethanol for two days or more, 50% for two days or more, and final storage in 80%. Also we removed all bad jars from the collection ? and a bad jar was a jar that needed topping. Expedition material was sorted and identified etc after this stage with the result that many specimens was changed to 80% once more. It took more than 10 years to realize that 80% was to strong. But also that every change of alcohol, or topping, resulted in a<br></div><div dir="ltr"> higher concentration ethanol since the lowering effect of the alcohol concentration through remnants of the previus stage fluid inside the specimens was removed. Also the small amounts of formalin in the specimen was reduced for each change of fluid. Especially for tiny fish we could find obvious shrinking. Today we are careful<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> 1. To keep the specimens in 70% (not more, not less)<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> 2. Not to rinse to much in water. Rather remove the formalin from the surface of the specimen only.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> 3. Don?t change the fluid if it is not necessary.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> 4. If you have to remove all fluid, add maybe 80-90% of fresh (70%) ethanol and the rest used ethanol from another specimen.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> All formalin fixed specimens has a small amount of formalin left - that is good.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Some substances in the specimen dissolve in the alcohol (just look at an alcohol preserved Anguilla?). Every change of alcohol add to the removing of lipids etc - that is bad.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> As far as we know, formalin was used for the first time at the NRM in 1904, but only occasionally! Still in the 1940s ethanol was commonly used for fixation in the field. When the museum moved from downtown Stockholm to north of the city in 1916, the economy for alcohol was reduced due to world war I (otherwise Sweden was not involved). This led to the invention to use a diluted formalin solution for the exhibition jars (for specimens fixed in ethanol!). The research collection continued to be stored in ethanol. Our collection is old. We estimate that our oldest specimens in ethanol are from the 1720s (from the Seba collection). Still many specimens from before 1758 are in remarkable good condition. In some specimens it is even possible to get small pieces of DNA with ancient DNA technic ? but usually not. This sounds contradicting to some statements above. We don?t know too much about the preservation history of these specimens, but what we know might be of general interest. The <br></div><div dir="ltr"> initial fixation and preservation was in distilled wine (=?spiritus vini?). We don?t know the concentration, and probably it was not pure ethanol, but also contained small amount of other fractions from the wine, more like strong cognac. The Royal collection (of king Adolf Fredrik with many Linnaean types) was donated to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in 1801. NRM was founded in 1819, but immediately in practice fused with the Academy. In 1848 the collections of the Academy was formally donated to the Museum. From the 1740s to 1970 this collection of vertebrates in alcohol was moved four times. Jars and fluid was probably changed twice. But most of the time the collection was stored cool and dark. Glasses and fluids was expensive so the ratio: specimen volume / conservation fluid volume was high up to 1900. From 1801-1898 the major part seems to have been almost untouched, except that the whole collection was moved 1500 meters in 1829.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> I was once asked how long a specimen could be stored in alcohol. With the reservation that our old specimens will be stored like today, no sudden disasters etc (and no climate change), I decided that to 2220 = 500 years would be possible, maybe 1000 years.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Erik ?hlander<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> vertebrate zoology and museum history<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> ZOO<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Swedish Museum of Natural History<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> PO Box 50007<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> SE-10405 Stockholm<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Sweden<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> +46 0 8 5195 4118<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> +46 0 70 225 2716<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <a ymailto="mailto:erik.ahlander@nrm.se" href="mailto:erik.ahlander@nrm.se">erik.ahlander@nrm.se</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Fr?n: Nhcoll-l <<a ymailto="mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu">nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu</a>> F?r Dirk Neumann<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Skickat: den 7 maj 2021 08:36<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Till: <a ymailto="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> ?mne: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Alcohol concentration for terrestrial vertebrates<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Hi Tonya (and John and Simon ;-)<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> concur with John and Simon, specimens should be kept in 70%; Simon pointed to the diluting effects and the image below nicely illustrates this: even if you use more steps for transferring specimens (0/20/40/60/80 vs. 20/30/50/70), tissues are still soaked with 60% or less high concentrated EtOH.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Depending on size, body mass and number of specimens (i.e. amount of tissue in the jar), the effect can be considerable (see "staining" in the images below; in the left one, body fluids released from these tall whitefish are indicated by the reddish haemoglobin stain at the bottom of the jar, the overall greenish colour in the right comes from chlorophyll released from the guts of these herbivorous distichodus fish).<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> I do the initial filling usually with 73-75% EtOH to reach 70%; aside from vertebrates high EtOH concentrations can be an issue in malaise traps because there the specimens usually are collected over several days or weeks in 96-80% EtOH. As Simon pointed out this quickly dehydrates specimens and weakens the joints holding all the antennae, appendices, bristles of invertebrates. Another issue is that in unsorted malaise trap samples there often is a thick deposit of specimens at the bottom of the container. Because the diluted less high concentrated ethanol is heavier, it layers at the bottom of the jar (cf. whitefish jar). Inside malaise trap containers, this diluted EtOH may get trapped in the thick specimen deposit.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Usually, I leave jars for few day to see if there are any unwanted effects before moving them into the collection.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Hope this is useful, with best wishes<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Dirk<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <image001.png><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Am 07.05.2021 um 00:17 schrieb Simon Moore:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Thanks John and Tonya,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> What John says is true about the staging of alcohols and the final concentrations. 80% was what I was advised at the NHM in London when I worked there and by the time larger terrestrial vertebrates ?end up? in 80%, you will often find that with the mix of lower grade alcohols from the staging process, once things have settled down / equilibrated, then the net result is around 70% anyway. Higher grade alcohols can lead to embrittlement of certain tissues as well as evaporation issues.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> I have also found the staging process necessary for the more fragile specimens as they undergo changes in Osmotic pressure during this process which can cause syneresis or shrinkage in softer tissues.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> With all good wishes, Simon<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Simon Moore MIScT, RSci, FLS, ACR<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Conservator of Natural Sciences and Cutlery Historian,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> www.natural-history-conservation.com<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <image002.jpg><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> On 6 May 2021, at 22:50, John E Simmons <<a ymailto="mailto:simmons.johne@gmail.com" href="mailto:simmons.johne@gmail.com">simmons.johne@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Tonya,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Thank you for your kind words about my book. The recommendation for staging up to 80% concentration was by made by my friend Simon Moore, who I cited in that sentence. In general, I do not recommend using 80% ETOH as a preservative for terrestrial vertebrates, but rather 70%. Preservation is alcohol is a trade-off between dehydration of the specimens and providing them suitable protection against biological deterioration. At 70%, ETOH is a very good biocide; below that, not so good, and above 70%, too strong for most specimens (note that there are some instances in which 80% might be preferred). <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> I do not recommend using stronger alcohol as a hedge against evaporation--that leads to uneven concentrations of preservatives and can be a real mess to work with in a collection.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> For how-to instructions on preserving, transferring specimens, and managing a fluid preserved collection, you might want to check Herpetological Collecting and Collections Management (3rd edition, 2015). The instructions for preserving and managing fluid preserved animals will work for most other specimens as well as for reptiles and amphibians.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Hope this helps,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> --John<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> John E. Simmons<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Writer and Museum Consultant<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Museologica<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> and<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Associate Curator of Collections<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Earth and Mineral Science Museum & Art Gallery<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Penn State University<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> and<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Investigador Asociado, Departamento de Ornitologia<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> On Thu, May 6, 2021 at 4:05 PM Haff, Tonya (NCMI, Crace) <<a ymailto="mailto:Tonya.Haff@csiro.au" href="mailto:Tonya.Haff@csiro.au">Tonya.Haff@csiro.au</a>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Hello all,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> I am enjoying reading John Simmon's fantastic book on fluid preservation. In it I read one suggestion for stepping specimens up out of formalin fixative into preservation alcohol as follows: from 20% ETOH to 40% to 60% and finally to 80%. We typically place our specimens in 70% ETOH, and I know higher concentrations can cause some problems with specimen dehydration. All our specimens are terrestrial vertebrates. I presume the final 80% provides a buffer against ETOH evaporation or leaching of water from the specimen into the fluid in the jar, to ensure that the alcohol concentration in the preservation fluid stays sufficiently high? But to me this is not quite clear. I wonder if any of you have thoughts on this, or if you would be willing to share how you step your specimens up in ETOH? <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Thank you!<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Tonya<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Nhcoll-l mailing list<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <a ymailto="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <a href="https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l" target="_blank">https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> society. 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See <a href="http://www.spnhc.org " target="_blank">http://www.spnhc.org </a>for membership information.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> -- <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Mare Nazaire, Ph.D.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Administrative Curator, Herbarium [RSA-POM]<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> California Botanic Garden<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Research Assistant Professor, Claremont Graduate University<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> 1500 North College Avenue<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Claremont, California 91711<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> 909.625.8767 ext. 268<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Nhcoll-l mailing list<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <a ymailto="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <a href="https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l" target="_blank">https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> society. See <a href="http://www.spnhc.org " target="_blank">http://www.spnhc.org </a>for membership information.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> -- <br></div><div dir="ltr">> Mare Nazaire, Ph.D.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Administrative Curator, Herbarium [RSA-POM]<br></div><div dir="ltr">> California Botanic Garden<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Research Assistant Professor, Claremont Graduate University<br></div><div dir="ltr">> 1500 North College Avenue<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Claremont, California 91711<br></div><div dir="ltr">> 909.625.8767 ext. 268<br></div><div dir="ltr">> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Nhcoll-l mailing list<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <a ymailto="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">> <a href="https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l" target="_blank">https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">> NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose<br></div><div dir="ltr">> mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of<br></div><div dir="ltr">> natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to<br></div><div dir="ltr">> society. See <a href="http://www.spnhc.org " target="_blank">http://www.spnhc.org </a>for membership information.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> -- <br></div><div dir="ltr">> Mare Nazaire, Ph.D.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Administrative Curator, Herbarium [RSA-POM]<br></div><div dir="ltr">> California Botanic Garden<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Research Assistant Professor, Claremont Graduate University<br></div><div dir="ltr">> 1500 North College Avenue<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Claremont, California 91711<br></div><div dir="ltr">> 909.625.8767 ext. 268<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">------------------------------<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Message: 7<br></div><div dir="ltr">Date: Fri, 7 May 2021 19:18:57 +0200<br></div><div dir="ltr">From: Dirk Neumann <<a ymailto="mailto:neumann@snsb.de" href="mailto:neumann@snsb.de">neumann@snsb.de</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">To: <a ymailto="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Alcohol concentration for terrestrial<br></div><div dir="ltr"> vertebrates<br></div><div dir="ltr">Message-ID: <<a ymailto="mailto:df425eb2-b921-2131-2336-0258a87722a0@snsb.de" href="mailto:df425eb2-b921-2131-2336-0258a87722a0@snsb.de">df425eb2-b921-2131-2336-0258a87722a0@snsb.de</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"; Format="flowed"<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Maybe things started to go wrong after the deep trauma Isaac got when he <br></div><div dir="ltr">was hit by this apple? Gradually, and after a rich experience of <br></div><div dir="ltr">applying all sorts of interesting calculations, conversions and <br></div><div dir="ltr">transformations, the English are surfacing on the metric world.<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">;-)<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">With best wishes<br></div><div dir="ltr">Dirk<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Am 07.05.2021 um 18:45 schrieb Simon Moore:<br></div><div dir="ltr">> That?s true John,<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> You have to understand that anything weights and measures-wise that emanated from England before about 1900 was bound to be complicated!<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> With all good wishes, Simon<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> On 7 May 2021, at 17:21, John E Simmons <<a ymailto="mailto:simmons.johne@gmail.com" href="mailto:simmons.johne@gmail.com">simmons.johne@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Oops, I made a mistake in my previous response. Thanks to Peter Rauch for catching it: Proof is actually about TWICE what the ETOH concentration is, so a 40 proof liquor would be about 20% alcohol.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> The concept of proof goes back to 1705 when some measure was needed to test the concentration of alcohol. In England, 100 proof was defined as a concentration of 11 parts alcohol and 10 parts water, which would permit the ignition of gunpowder. The modern definition of proof is a mixture of alcohol and water with a specific gravity of 0.91984, or about twice the concentration of the alcohol.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> --John<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> John E. Simmons<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Writer and Museum Consultant<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Museologica<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> and<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Associate Curator of Collections<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Earth and Mineral Science Museum & Art Gallery<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Penn State University<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> and<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Investigador Asociado, Departamento de Ornitologia<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> On Fri, May 7, 2021 at 12:02 PM Mare Nazaire <<a ymailto="mailto:mnazaire@calbg.org" href="mailto:mnazaire@calbg.org">mnazaire@calbg.org</a>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Thank you for the citation and for all of this helpful information John!<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> On Fri, May 7, 2021 at 8:43 AM John E Simmons <<a ymailto="mailto:simmons.johne@gmail.com" href="mailto:simmons.johne@gmail.com">simmons.johne@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> The reference for the book is:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Simmons, John E. 2014. Fluid Preservation: A Comprehensive Reference. Rowman & Littlefield. It is available from Amazon.com, from the publisher, and other sellers.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> The book includes a discussion (pp 54-56) of botanical fluid preservation (thanks to Ann Pinzl for generously sharing with me her as yet unpublished research on this subject). Botanists have tended to use some strange mixtures, trying to preserve color in their specimens (particularly in flowers).<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> The use of beverage alcohol as a preservative has a long and fascinating history. Although most beverage alcohol is below 70%, it usually does a fairly good job of preservation (proof is approximately half the alcohol concentration, so a 20 proof spirit is about 40% ETOH). I have used beverage alcohol to preserve when nothing else was available, and have seen a lot of specimens preserved in it. Rum was commonly used because it was inexpensive (things such as brandy, which usually has a higher alcohol content than rum, actually work better).<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Over the history of fluid preservation, there have been many attempts to improve the preservative properties of alcohol. In the days before we had an easy means to check the concentration, it was common to use alcohol after a second distillation, which usually meant around 60-65% (depending on the source), so such things as arsenic, mercuric chloride, and other chemicals were commonly added to "strengthen" it (they were really just making it a more effective biocide, but usually screwing up the specimen in the process).<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> --John<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> John E. Simmons<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Writer and Museum Consultant<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Museologica<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> and<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Associate Curator of Collections<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Earth and Mineral Science Museum & Art Gallery<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Penn State University<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> and<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Investigador Asociado, Departamento de Ornitologia<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> On Fri, May 7, 2021 at 10:56 AM Mare Nazaire <<a ymailto="mailto:mnazaire@calbg.org" href="mailto:mnazaire@calbg.org">mnazaire@calbg.org</a>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Thank you Simon and Dirk for your feedback on this.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> I had actually spoken with the botanist who originally prepared the specimens back in the 60's - he noted that they were preserved in 50% EtOH. He also noted that when he had traveled to other countries for field work and EtOH wasn't available he would use rum! So there could be some other residual components in these fluid preserved specimens!<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> On Fri, May 7, 2021 at 7:18 AM Simon Moore <<a ymailto="mailto:couteaufin@btinternet.com" href="mailto:couteaufin@btinternet.com">couteaufin@btinternet.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Dear Mare,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> I have always fixed fresh plant material in Kew mix and then transferred to Copenhagen mixture which is similar but minus the formalin. As Dirk has pointed out, the formulae (proportions) do vary slightly between institutions, some prefer more glycerine in their mixes but which can make the specimens rather translucent which is why others prefer a lower concentration. There is also the slight problem of osmotic pressure differential and specimens floating until they equilibrate!<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Make sure that the pH of the solutions is a near to 7.0 as possible.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> With all good wishes, Simon<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Simon Moore MIScT, RSci, FLS, ACR<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Conservator of Natural Sciences and Cutlery Historian,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> www.natural-history-conservation.com<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <PastedGraphic-2.tiff><MA logo.jpg><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> On 7 May 2021, at 13:53, Mare Nazaire <<a ymailto="mailto:mnazaire@calbg.org" href="mailto:mnazaire@calbg.org">mnazaire@calbg.org</a>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> This is a very informative and helpful thread - thank you for this!<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> I presume that 70% concentration would also be suitable for plant material preserved in spirits? I ask because I've recently discovered that some of our collection of fluid preserved plant material is at a concentration of 50% and I wondered if it is advisable to keep them as is or change their concentration to 70%. Are there recommendations in John Simmon's book for preserving plant specimens in alcohol and could you also provide the citation for this book?<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Thank you,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> ~Mare<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> On Fri, May 7, 2021 at 12:48 AM Erik ?hlander <<a ymailto="mailto:Erik.Ahlander@nrm.se" href="mailto:Erik.Ahlander@nrm.se">Erik.Ahlander@nrm.se</a>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Dear Tonya, John, Simon, Dirk - well all,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Also I agree. Since I will soon retire I want to share some experiences:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> When we started to take care of the collection of wet vertebrates in Stockholm in 1975 there was no overlap in time (well 1 week) with the previous staff (the previous curator was employed 1934-1974). So we had to invent the wheel. The initial ambition was to keep a concentration between 70 and 80% ethanol. (We also tested the new suggested conservation fluid Phenoxetol, which after some years showed to be a disaster). To compensate for evaporation, we tried to stick to 80%. New material was fixed in formalin for at least a week, washing in water, 20% ethanol for two days or more, 50% for two days or more, and final storage in 80%. Also we removed all bad jars from the collection ? and a bad jar was a jar that needed topping. Expedition material was sorted and identified etc after this stage with the result that many specimens was changed to 80% once more. It took more than 10 years to realize that 80% was to strong. But also that every change of alcohol, or topping, resulted in <br></div><div dir="ltr"> a higher concentration ethanol since the lowering effect of the alcohol concentration through remnants of the previus stage fluid inside the specimens was removed. Also the small amounts of formalin in the specimen was reduced for each change of fluid. Especially for tiny fish we could find obvious shrinking. Today we are careful<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> 1. To keep the specimens in 70% (not more, not less)<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> 2. Not to rinse to much in water. Rather remove the formalin from the surface of the specimen only.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> 3. Don?t change the fluid if it is not necessary.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> 4. If you have to remove all fluid, add maybe 80-90% of fresh (70%) ethanol and the rest used ethanol from another specimen.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> All formalin fixed specimens has a small amount of formalin left - that is good.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Some substances in the specimen dissolve in the alcohol (just look at an alcohol preserved Anguilla?). Every change of alcohol add to the removing of lipids etc - that is bad.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> As far as we know, formalin was used for the first time at the NRM in 1904, but only occasionally! Still in the 1940s ethanol was commonly used for fixation in the field. When the museum moved from downtown Stockholm to north of the city in 1916, the economy for alcohol was reduced due to world war I (otherwise Sweden was not involved). This led to the invention to use a diluted formalin solution for the exhibition jars (for specimens fixed in ethanol!). The research collection continued to be stored in ethanol. Our collection is old. We estimate that our oldest specimens in ethanol are from the 1720s (from the Seba collection). Still many specimens from before 1758 are in remarkable good condition. In some specimens it is even possible to get small pieces of DNA with ancient DNA technic ? but usually not. This sounds contradicting to some statements above. We don?t know too much about the preservation history of these specimens, but what we know might be of general interest. The<br></div><div dir="ltr"> initial fixation and preservation was in distilled wine (=?spiritus vini?). We don?t know the concentration, and probably it was not pure ethanol, but also contained small amount of other fractions from the wine, more like strong cognac. The Royal collection (of king Adolf Fredrik with many Linnaean types) was donated to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in 1801. NRM was founded in 1819, but immediately in practice fused with the Academy. In 1848 the collections of the Academy was formally donated to the Museum. From the 1740s to 1970 this collection of vertebrates in alcohol was moved four times. Jars and fluid was probably changed twice. But most of the time the collection was stored cool and dark. Glasses and fluids was expensive so the ratio: specimen volume / conservation fluid volume was high up to 1900. From 1801-1898 the major part seems to have been almost untouched, except that the whole collection was moved 1500 meters in 1829.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> I was once asked how long a specimen could be stored in alcohol. With the reservation that our old specimens will be stored like today, no sudden disasters etc (and no climate change), I decided that to 2220 = 500 years would be possible, maybe 1000 years.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Erik ?hlander<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> vertebrate zoology and museum history<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> ZOO<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Swedish Museum of Natural History<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> PO Box 50007<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> SE-10405 Stockholm<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Sweden<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> +46 0 8 5195 4118<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> +46 0 70 225 2716<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <a ymailto="mailto:erik.ahlander@nrm.se" href="mailto:erik.ahlander@nrm.se">erik.ahlander@nrm.se</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Fr?n: Nhcoll-l <<a ymailto="mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu">nhcoll-l-bounces@mailman.yale.edu</a>> F?r Dirk Neumann<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Skickat: den 7 maj 2021 08:36<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Till: <a ymailto="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> ?mne: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Alcohol concentration for terrestrial vertebrates<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Hi Tonya (and John and Simon ;-)<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> concur with John and Simon, specimens should be kept in 70%; Simon pointed to the diluting effects and the image below nicely illustrates this: even if you use more steps for transferring specimens (0/20/40/60/80 vs. 20/30/50/70), tissues are still soaked with 60% or less high concentrated EtOH.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Depending on size, body mass and number of specimens (i.e. amount of tissue in the jar), the effect can be considerable (see "staining" in the images below; in the left one, body fluids released from these tall whitefish are indicated by the reddish haemoglobin stain at the bottom of the jar, the overall greenish colour in the right comes from chlorophyll released from the guts of these herbivorous distichodus fish).<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> I do the initial filling usually with 73-75% EtOH to reach 70%; aside from vertebrates high EtOH concentrations can be an issue in malaise traps because there the specimens usually are collected over several days or weeks in 96-80% EtOH. As Simon pointed out this quickly dehydrates specimens and weakens the joints holding all the antennae, appendices, bristles of invertebrates. Another issue is that in unsorted malaise trap samples there often is a thick deposit of specimens at the bottom of the container. Because the diluted less high concentrated ethanol is heavier, it layers at the bottom of the jar (cf. whitefish jar). Inside malaise trap containers, this diluted EtOH may get trapped in the thick specimen deposit.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Usually, I leave jars for few day to see if there are any unwanted effects before moving them into the collection.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Hope this is useful, with best wishes<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Dirk<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <image001.png><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Am 07.05.2021 um 00:17 schrieb Simon Moore:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Thanks John and Tonya,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> What John says is true about the staging of alcohols and the final concentrations. 80% was what I was advised at the NHM in London when I worked there and by the time larger terrestrial vertebrates ?end up? in 80%, you will often find that with the mix of lower grade alcohols from the staging process, once things have settled down / equilibrated, then the net result is around 70% anyway. Higher grade alcohols can lead to embrittlement of certain tissues as well as evaporation issues.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> I have also found the staging process necessary for the more fragile specimens as they undergo changes in Osmotic pressure during this process which can cause syneresis or shrinkage in softer tissues.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> With all good wishes, Simon<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Simon Moore MIScT, RSci, FLS, ACR<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Conservator of Natural Sciences and Cutlery Historian,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> www.natural-history-conservation.com<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <image002.jpg><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> On 6 May 2021, at 22:50, John E Simmons <<a ymailto="mailto:simmons.johne@gmail.com" href="mailto:simmons.johne@gmail.com">simmons.johne@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Tonya,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Thank you for your kind words about my book. The recommendation for staging up to 80% concentration was by made by my friend Simon Moore, who I cited in that sentence. In general, I do not recommend using 80% ETOH as a preservative for terrestrial vertebrates, but rather 70%. Preservation is alcohol is a trade-off between dehydration of the specimens and providing them suitable protection against biological deterioration. At 70%, ETOH is a very good biocide; below that, not so good, and above 70%, too strong for most specimens (note that there are some instances in which 80% might be preferred).<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> I do not recommend using stronger alcohol as a hedge against evaporation--that leads to uneven concentrations of preservatives and can be a real mess to work with in a collection.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> For how-to instructions on preserving, transferring specimens, and managing a fluid preserved collection, you might want to check Herpetological Collecting and Collections Management (3rd edition, 2015). The instructions for preserving and managing fluid preserved animals will work for most other specimens as well as for reptiles and amphibians.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Hope this helps,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> --John<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> John E. Simmons<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Writer and Museum Consultant<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Museologica<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> and<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Associate Curator of Collections<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Earth and Mineral Science Museum & Art Gallery<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Penn State University<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> and<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Investigador Asociado, Departamento de Ornitologia<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> On Thu, May 6, 2021 at 4:05 PM Haff, Tonya (NCMI, Crace) <<a ymailto="mailto:Tonya.Haff@csiro.au" href="mailto:Tonya.Haff@csiro.au">Tonya.Haff@csiro.au</a>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Hello all,<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> I am enjoying reading John Simmon's fantastic book on fluid preservation. In it I read one suggestion for stepping specimens up out of formalin fixative into preservation alcohol as follows: from 20% ETOH to 40% to 60% and finally to 80%. We typically place our specimens in 70% ETOH, and I know higher concentrations can cause some problems with specimen dehydration. All our specimens are terrestrial vertebrates. I presume the final 80% provides a buffer against ETOH evaporation or leaching of water from the specimen into the fluid in the jar, to ensure that the alcohol concentration in the preservation fluid stays sufficiently high? But to me this is not quite clear. I wonder if any of you have thoughts on this, or if you would be willing to share how you step your specimens up in ETOH?<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Thank you!<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Tonya<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Nhcoll-l mailing list<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <a ymailto="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <a href="https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l" target="_blank">https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> society. See <a href="http://www.spnhc.org " target="_blank">http://www.spnhc.org </a>for membership information.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Nhcoll-l mailing list<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <a ymailto="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <a href="https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l" target="_blank">https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> society. See <a href="http://www.spnhc.org " target="_blank">http://www.spnhc.org </a>for membership information.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Nhcoll-l mailing list<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <a ymailto="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <a href="https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l" target="_blank">https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> society. See <a href="http://www.spnhc.org " target="_blank">http://www.spnhc.org </a>for membership information.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> --<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <image004.png><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Dirk Neumann<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Tel: 089 / 8107-111<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Fax: 089 / 8107-300<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> neumann(a)snsb.de<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Postanschrift:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Staatliche Naturwissenschaftliche Sammlungen Bayerns<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Zoologische Staatssammlung M?nchen<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Dirk Neumann, Sektion Ichthyologie / DNA-Storage<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> M?nchhausenstr. 21<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> 81247 M?nchen<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Besuchen Sie unsere Sammlung:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <a href="http://www.zsm.mwn.de/sektion/ichthyologie-home/" target="_blank">http://www.zsm.mwn.de/sektion/ichthyologie-home/</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> ---------<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Dirk Neumann<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Tel: +49-89-8107-111<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Fax: +49-89-8107-300<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> neumann(a)snsb.de<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> postal address:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Bavarian Natural History Collections<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> The Bavarian State Collection of Zoology<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Dirk Neumann, Section Ichthyology / DNA-Storage<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Muenchhausenstr. 21<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> 81247 Munich (Germany)<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Visit our section at:<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <a href="http://www.zsm.mwn.de/sektion/ichthyologie-home/" target="_blank">http://www.zsm.mwn.de/sektion/ichthyologie-home/</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Nhcoll-l mailing list<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <a ymailto="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <a href="https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l" target="_blank">https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> society. See <a href="http://www.spnhc.org " target="_blank">http://www.spnhc.org </a>for membership information.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> -- <br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Mare Nazaire, Ph.D.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Administrative Curator, Herbarium [RSA-POM]<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> California Botanic Garden<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Research Assistant Professor, Claremont Graduate University<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> 1500 North College Avenue<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Claremont, California 91711<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> 909.625.8767 ext. 268<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Nhcoll-l mailing list<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <a ymailto="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> <a href="https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l" target="_blank">https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> society. See <a href="http://www.spnhc.org " target="_blank">http://www.spnhc.org </a>for membership information.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>>> Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> -- <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Mare Nazaire, Ph.D.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Administrative Curator, Herbarium [RSA-POM]<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> California Botanic Garden<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Research Assistant Professor, Claremont Graduate University<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> 1500 North College Avenue<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Claremont, California 91711<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> 909.625.8767 ext. 268<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Nhcoll-l mailing list<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <a ymailto="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> <a href="https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l" target="_blank">https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> society. See <a href="http://www.spnhc.org " target="_blank">http://www.spnhc.org </a>for membership information.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>><br></div><div dir="ltr">>> -- <br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Mare Nazaire, Ph.D.<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Administrative Curator, Herbarium [RSA-POM]<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> California Botanic Garden<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Research Assistant Professor, Claremont Graduate University<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> 1500 North College Avenue<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> Claremont, California 91711<br></div><div dir="ltr">>> 909.625.8767 ext. 268<br></div><div dir="ltr">> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Nhcoll-l mailing list<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <a ymailto="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">> <a href="https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l" target="_blank">https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">> NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose<br></div><div dir="ltr">> mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of<br></div><div dir="ltr">> natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to<br></div><div dir="ltr">> society. See <a href="http://www.spnhc.org " target="_blank">http://www.spnhc.org </a>for membership information.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate.<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">-- <br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Dirk Neumann<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Tel: 089 / 8107-111<br></div><div dir="ltr">Fax: 089 / 8107-300<br></div><div dir="ltr">neumann(a)snsb.de<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Postanschrift:<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Staatliche Naturwissenschaftliche Sammlungen Bayerns<br></div><div dir="ltr">Zoologische Staatssammlung M?nchen<br></div><div dir="ltr">Dirk Neumann, Sektion Ichthyologie / DNA-Storage<br></div><div dir="ltr">M?nchhausenstr. 21<br></div><div dir="ltr">81247 M?nchen<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Besuchen Sie unsere Sammlung:<br></div><div dir="ltr"><a href="http://www.zsm.mwn.de/sektion/ichthyologie-home/" target="_blank">http://www.zsm.mwn.de/sektion/ichthyologie-home/</a><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">---------<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Dirk Neumann<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Tel: +49-89-8107-111<br></div><div dir="ltr">Fax: +49-89-8107-300<br></div><div dir="ltr">neumann(a)snsb.de<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">postal address:<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Bavarian Natural History Collections<br></div><div dir="ltr">The Bavarian State Collection of Zoology<br></div><div dir="ltr">Dirk Neumann, Section Ichthyology / DNA-Storage<br></div><div dir="ltr">Muenchhausenstr. 21<br></div><div dir="ltr">81247 Munich (Germany)<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Visit our section at:<br></div><div dir="ltr"><a href="http://www.zsm.mwn.de/sektion/ichthyologie-home/" target="_blank">http://www.zsm.mwn.de/sektion/ichthyologie-home/</a><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">-------------- next part --------------<br></div><div dir="ltr">An HTML attachment was scrubbed...<br></div><div dir="ltr">URL: <<a href="http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210507/b443642c/attachment-0001.html" target="_blank">http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210507/b443642c/attachment-0001.html</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">-------------- next part --------------<br></div><div dir="ltr">A non-text attachment was scrubbed...<br></div><div dir="ltr">Name: ecgnlkogopmcehjn.png<br></div><div dir="ltr">Type: image/png<br></div><div dir="ltr">Size: 23308 bytes<br></div><div dir="ltr">Desc: not available<br></div><div dir="ltr">URL: <<a href="http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210507/b443642c/attachment-0001.png" target="_blank">http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210507/b443642c/attachment-0001.png</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">------------------------------<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Message: 8<br></div><div dir="ltr">Date: Fri, 7 May 2021 15:12:56 -0400<br></div><div dir="ltr">From: Jyotsna Pandey <<a ymailto="mailto:jpandey@aibs.org" href="mailto:jpandey@aibs.org">jpandey@aibs.org</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">To: <a ymailto="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">Subject: [Nhcoll-l] AIBS Writing for Impact and Influence Online<br></div><div dir="ltr"> Course: Register Now<br></div><div dir="ltr">Message-ID:<br></div><div dir="ltr"> <CAOuC=<a ymailto="mailto:0HrCA2ATBS5JsJ7rWR879rKEdDzeVPxqszFYacTDc6rpg@mail.gmail.com" href="mailto:0HrCA2ATBS5JsJ7rWR879rKEdDzeVPxqszFYacTDc6rpg@mail.gmail.com">0HrCA2ATBS5JsJ7rWR879rKEdDzeVPxqszFYacTDc6rpg@mail.gmail.com</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Dear Colleagues,<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">There is a growing recognition of the importance of providing scientists,<br></div><div dir="ltr">particularly graduate students and post-doctoral fellows, with professional<br></div><div dir="ltr">development training that will expand their career opportunities and<br></div><div dir="ltr">potential for professional success. The American Institute of Biological<br></div><div dir="ltr">Sciences (AIBS) is pleased to announce a professional development program<br></div><div dir="ltr">that we have developed to help scientists strengthen their written<br></div><div dir="ltr">communication<br></div><div dir="ltr">skills.<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">This is an important professional development training opportunity. I hope<br></div><div dir="ltr">you will consider sharing this opportunity with your students, staff, and<br></div><div dir="ltr">colleagues.<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Below are more specific details about this online course, including<br></div><div dir="ltr">registration information.<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">*Writing for Impact and Influence: An AIBS Professional Development Program*<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">*It is perfectly okay to write garbage?as long as you edit brilliantly. *<br></div><div dir="ltr">-C. J. Cherryh<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">The American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) has heard a common<br></div><div dir="ltr">refrain from faculty, scientists, government and private sector executives,<br></div><div dir="ltr">and everyone in between: Scientists are increasingly responsible for public<br></div><div dir="ltr">engagement and business writing, yet they are rarely given the tools they<br></div><div dir="ltr">need to succeed.<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">AIBS is responding by re-offering our professional development program<br></div><div dir="ltr">designed to help scientists, including graduate students, hone their<br></div><div dir="ltr">written communication skills to increase the impact and influence of their<br></div><div dir="ltr">message. This course complements AIBS?s highly successful Communications<br></div><div dir="ltr">Boot Camp for Scientists, which focuses on oral communication.<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Writing for Impact and Influence provides practical instruction and<br></div><div dir="ltr">hands-on exercises that will improve the participant?s general writing<br></div><div dir="ltr">proficiency. The program will provide participants with the skills and<br></div><div dir="ltr">tools needed to compose scientific press releases, blog posts, memoranda,<br></div><div dir="ltr">and more, with a focus on the reader experience. Each product-oriented<br></div><div dir="ltr">session will have an assignment (deadlines are flexible), with feedback<br></div><div dir="ltr">from the instructor. The course is interactive, and participants are<br></div><div dir="ltr">encouraged to ask questions and exchange ideas with the instructor and<br></div><div dir="ltr">other participants. Each session is also recorded and shared with all<br></div><div dir="ltr">participants to accommodate scheduling conflicts.<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">*Who Should Take the Course?*<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"> - Individuals interested in furthering their professional development by<br></div><div dir="ltr"> augmenting their writing skills.<br></div><div dir="ltr"> - Graduate students and early-career professionals interested in<br></div><div dir="ltr"> increasing their marketability to employers.<br></div><div dir="ltr"> - Individuals interested in more effectively informing and influencing<br></div><div dir="ltr"> segments of the public, supervisors, policymakers, reporters,<br></div><div dir="ltr"> organizational leaders, and others.<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">*Sample Topics*<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"> - Press releases and writing for the media<br></div><div dir="ltr"> - Blogging and social media campaigns<br></div><div dir="ltr"> - Writing for professional audiences<br></div><div dir="ltr"> - One-pagers and writing for stakeholders<br></div><div dir="ltr"> - Action/decision memoranda<br></div><div dir="ltr"> - Synthesis<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">*Course Structure*<br></div><div dir="ltr">The course consists of six 90-minute online modules conducted live and<br></div><div dir="ltr">subsequently archived online for participant review. Modules are spaced at<br></div><div dir="ltr">weekly intervals to allow time for assignment completion. Live attendance<br></div><div dir="ltr">is recommended but not required, and the instructor can be contacted by<br></div><div dir="ltr">email at any time during the course.<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">*Assignments*<br></div><div dir="ltr">A writing assignment will be given in each of the first five courses.<br></div><div dir="ltr">Students will receive timely feedback on their assignments.<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">*Schedule*<br></div><div dir="ltr">The course will begin on Thursday, 1 July 2021. The subsequent course<br></div><div dir="ltr">sessions will be held weekly on Thursdays, through 5 August. All live<br></div><div dir="ltr">courses will begin at 2:00 p.m. Eastern time. Recorded programs will be<br></div><div dir="ltr">available to participants after the live session.<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">*Registration*<br></div><div dir="ltr">Space is limited and the course will be filled on a first-come,<br></div><div dir="ltr">first-served basis. Registration is required. To register for the course,<br></div><div dir="ltr">go to <a href="http://io.aibs.org/writing" target="_blank">http://io.aibs.org/writing</a><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">For questions regarding the course please contact James Verdier at<br></div><div dir="ltr"><a ymailto="mailto:jverdier@aibs.org." href="mailto:jverdier@aibs.org.">jverdier@aibs.org.</a><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Sincerely,<br></div><div dir="ltr">Jyotsna<br></div><div dir="ltr">___________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">Jyotsna Pandey, Ph.D.<br></div><div dir="ltr">Director of Public Policy, American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS)<br></div><div dir="ltr">950 Herndon Parkway Suite 450<br></div><div dir="ltr">Herndon, VA 20170<br></div><div dir="ltr">Phone: 202-628-1500 x 225<br></div><div dir="ltr">AIBS website: www.aibs.org<br></div><div dir="ltr">Follow AIBS on Twitter! @AIBSbiology <<a href="https://twitter.com/aibsbiology" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/aibsbiology</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">-- <br></div><div dir="ltr">This message is confidential and should only be read by its intended <br></div><div dir="ltr">recipients.?<br></div><div dir="ltr">If you have received it in error, please notify the sender and <br></div><div dir="ltr">delete all copies.<br></div><div dir="ltr">-------------- next part --------------<br></div><div dir="ltr">An HTML attachment was scrubbed...<br></div><div dir="ltr">URL: <<a href="http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210507/da7d0498/attachment-0001.html" target="_blank">http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210507/da7d0498/attachment-0001.html</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">------------------------------<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Message: 9<br></div><div dir="ltr">Date: Fri, 7 May 2021 15:36:40 -0500<br></div><div dir="ltr">From: Gretchen Meier <<a ymailto="mailto:gameier@d.umn.edu" href="mailto:gameier@d.umn.edu">gameier@d.umn.edu</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">To: <a ymailto="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Alcohol concentrations for preserving flowers<br></div><div dir="ltr">Message-ID:<br></div><div dir="ltr"> <CA+Wdk7m_djb2WYgHRxmLnsaGGcfXv81GM6f+G0jOwFy9xe=<a ymailto="mailto:g1g@mail.gmail.com" href="mailto:g1g@mail.gmail.com">g1g@mail.gmail.com</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Hi there!<br></div><div dir="ltr">Is there a recommended ETOH concentration for preserving flowers for later<br></div><div dir="ltr">dissection? In a pinch, I've used cheap vodka (about 40%) but I'm not sure<br></div><div dir="ltr">I want to bring that into a classroom. Any suggestions?<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">-- <br></div><div dir="ltr">Gretchen Meier (*she/her/hers*)<br></div><div dir="ltr">Olga Lakela Herbarium (DUL)<br></div><div dir="ltr">University of Minnesota Duluth<br></div><div dir="ltr"><a ymailto="mailto:gameier@d.umn.edu" href="mailto:gameier@d.umn.edu">gameier@d.umn.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">218.726.6542<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">*Naturum expellas furca, tamen usque recurret - Homer *<br></div><div dir="ltr">'you may drive nature out with a pitchfork, but she will come hurrying back'<br></div><div dir="ltr">-------------- next part --------------<br></div><div dir="ltr">An HTML attachment was scrubbed...<br></div><div dir="ltr">URL: <<a href="http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210507/3c12b7b0/attachment-0001.html" target="_blank">http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210507/3c12b7b0/attachment-0001.html</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">------------------------------<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Message: 10<br></div><div dir="ltr">Date: Fri, 7 May 2021 21:07:11 +0000<br></div><div dir="ltr">From: "Bentley, Andrew Charles" <<a ymailto="mailto:abentley@ku.edu" href="mailto:abentley@ku.edu">abentley@ku.edu</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">To: "<a ymailto="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a>" <<a ymailto="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">Subject: [Nhcoll-l] SPNHC opening mixer<br></div><div dir="ltr">Message-ID: <<a ymailto="mailto:2C40737A-5902-4FFF-84CD-91E8912F1199@ku.edu" href="mailto:2C40737A-5902-4FFF-84CD-91E8912F1199@ku.edu">2C40737A-5902-4FFF-84CD-91E8912F1199@ku.edu</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Hi all<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">There appears to be an issue with the link to the SPNHC mixer on the AIC website. If you are trying to join us go here: <a href="https://www.kumospace.com/spnhc2021" target="_blank">https://www.kumospace.com/spnhc2021</a><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Andy<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"> A : A : A :<br></div><div dir="ltr"> }<(((_?>.,.,.,.}<(((_?>.,.,.,.}<)))_?><br></div><div dir="ltr"> V V V<br></div><div dir="ltr">Andy Bentley<br></div><div dir="ltr">Ichthyology Collection Manager<br></div><div dir="ltr">University of Kansas<br></div><div dir="ltr">Biodiversity Institute<br></div><div dir="ltr">Dyche Hall<br></div><div dir="ltr">1345 Jayhawk Boulevard<br></div><div dir="ltr">Lawrence, KS, 66045-7561<br></div><div dir="ltr">USA<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Tel: (785) 864-3863<br></div><div dir="ltr">Fax: (785) 864-5335<br></div><div dir="ltr">Email: <a ymailto="mailto:abentley@ku.edu" href="mailto:abentley@ku.edu">abentley@ku.edu</a><mailto:<a ymailto="mailto:abentley@ku.edu" href="mailto:abentley@ku.edu">abentley@ku.edu</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr"><a href="http://ichthyology.biodiversity.ku.edu" target="_blank">http://ichthyology.biodiversity.ku.edu</a><<a href="http://ichthyology.biodiversity.ku.edu/" target="_blank">http://ichthyology.biodiversity.ku.edu/</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"> A : A : A :<br></div><div dir="ltr"> }<(((_?>.,.,.,.}<(((_?>.,.,.,.}<)))_?><br></div><div dir="ltr"> V V V<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">-------------- next part --------------<br></div><div dir="ltr">An HTML attachment was scrubbed...<br></div><div dir="ltr">URL: <<a href="http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210507/81d334a7/attachment-0001.html" target="_blank">http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210507/81d334a7/attachment-0001.html</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">------------------------------<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Message: 11<br></div><div dir="ltr">Date: Sat, 8 May 2021 12:27:21 +0100<br></div><div dir="ltr">From: Simon Moore <<a ymailto="mailto:couteaufin@btinternet.com" href="mailto:couteaufin@btinternet.com">couteaufin@btinternet.com</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">To: Gretchen Meier <<a ymailto="mailto:gameier@d.umn.edu" href="mailto:gameier@d.umn.edu">gameier@d.umn.edu</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">Cc: <a ymailto="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Alcohol concentrations for preserving flowers<br></div><div dir="ltr">Message-ID: <<a ymailto="mailto:D26CCE6C-9073-4815-9714-B1E69BC50B38@btinternet.com" href="mailto:D26CCE6C-9073-4815-9714-B1E69BC50B38@btinternet.com">D26CCE6C-9073-4815-9714-B1E69BC50B38@btinternet.com</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Hi Gretchen <br></div><div dir="ltr">This is a tricky one as preservation of fugitive pigments that flowers contain is a bit of a biochemical mixture. Someone may have experience of this but the slightly oily texture of vodka might be good as a short term preservative. Adding some Bitrex, denatonium benzoate, should discourage anyone sampling! Or use tubes with tight closures?<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">With all good wishes, Simon <br></div><div dir="ltr">Simon Moore MiSct, FLS, RRScI, ACR,<br></div><div dir="ltr">Conservator of natural sciences <br></div><div dir="ltr">Sent from my iPad<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">> On 7 May 2021, at 21:36, Gretchen Meier <<a ymailto="mailto:gameier@d.umn.edu" href="mailto:gameier@d.umn.edu">gameier@d.umn.edu</a>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> Hi there!<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Is there a recommended ETOH concentration for preserving flowers for later dissection? In a pinch, I've used cheap vodka (about 40%) but I'm not sure I want to bring that into a classroom. Any suggestions?<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> -- <br></div><div dir="ltr">> Gretchen Meier (she/her/hers)<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Olga Lakela Herbarium (DUL)<br></div><div dir="ltr">> University of Minnesota Duluth<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <a ymailto="mailto:gameier@d.umn.edu" href="mailto:gameier@d.umn.edu">gameier@d.umn.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">> 218.726.6542<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> Naturum expellas furca, tamen usque recurret - Homer <br></div><div dir="ltr">> 'you may drive nature out with a pitchfork, but she will come hurrying back'<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Nhcoll-l mailing list<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <a ymailto="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">> <a href="https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l" target="_blank">https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">> NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose<br></div><div dir="ltr">> mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of<br></div><div dir="ltr">> natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to<br></div><div dir="ltr">> society. See <a href="http://www.spnhc.org " target="_blank">http://www.spnhc.org </a>for membership information.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate.<br></div><div dir="ltr">-------------- next part --------------<br></div><div dir="ltr">An HTML attachment was scrubbed...<br></div><div dir="ltr">URL: <<a href="http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210508/36b5adb1/attachment-0001.html" target="_blank">http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210508/36b5adb1/attachment-0001.html</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">------------------------------<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Message: 12<br></div><div dir="ltr">Date: Mon, 10 May 2021 16:21:18 +0000<br></div><div dir="ltr">From: Nikolaj Scharff <<a ymailto="mailto:nscharff@snm.ku.dk" href="mailto:nscharff@snm.ku.dk">nscharff@snm.ku.dk</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">To: "<a ymailto="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a>" <<a ymailto="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Head of Conservation Unit at the Natural History<br></div><div dir="ltr"> Museum of Denmark (NHMD)<br></div><div dir="ltr">Message-ID: <<a ymailto="mailto:955e7537e7fc49ca8e5030a8252397bb@snm.ku.dk" href="mailto:955e7537e7fc49ca8e5030a8252397bb@snm.ku.dk">955e7537e7fc49ca8e5030a8252397bb@snm.ku.dk</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">The Natural History Museum of Denmark (NHMD) is seeking an experienced natural history conservator to establish and manage a Conservation Unit which is to be established at the NHMD.<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">In the coming years, the primary focus of the Conservation Unit will be to conserve, prepare and install objects for the new permanent galleries which are currently being developed in connection with the build of a new national Natural History Museum in the midst of Copenhagen. Currently, seven exhibition core groups are developing the content of the new permanent galleries, which are planned to open to the public in October 2024 (<a href="https://nyt.snm.ku.dk/english/" target="_blank">https://nyt.snm.ku.dk/english/</a>).<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">An exciting opportunity to be part of the new museum project. Check the job announcement below!<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><a href="https://candidate.hr-manager.net/ApplicationInit.aspx/?cid=1307&departmentId=19220&ProjectId=154054&MediaId=5&SkipAdvertisement=false" target="_blank">https://candidate.hr-manager.net/ApplicationInit.aspx/?cid=1307&departmentId=19220&ProjectId=154054&MediaId=5&SkipAdvertisement=false</a><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Best wishes<br></div><div dir="ltr">Nikolaj Scharff<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">----------------------------------------------------------<br></div><div dir="ltr">Nikolaj Scharff, PhD<br></div><div dir="ltr">Deputy Museum Director<br></div><div dir="ltr">Professor, Head of Collections & Research<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Natural History Museum of Denmark<br></div><div dir="ltr">Zoological Museum, University of Copenhagen<br></div><div dir="ltr">Universitetsparken 15, DK-2100 Copenhagen<br></div><div dir="ltr">DENMARK<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">E-mail: <a ymailto="mailto:nscharff@snm.ku.dk" href="mailto:nscharff@snm.ku.dk">nscharff@snm.ku.dk</a><mailto:<a ymailto="mailto:nscharff@snm.ku.dk" href="mailto:nscharff@snm.ku.dk">nscharff@snm.ku.dk</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">Webpage: <a href="http://snm.ku.dk/people/nscharff" target="_blank">http://snm.ku.dk/people/nscharff</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">----------------------------------------------------------<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">-------------- next part --------------<br></div><div dir="ltr">An HTML attachment was scrubbed...<br></div><div dir="ltr">URL: <<a href="http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210510/87b3b062/attachment-0001.html" target="_blank">http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210510/87b3b062/attachment-0001.html</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">------------------------------<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Message: 13<br></div><div dir="ltr">Date: Mon, 10 May 2021 14:10:51 -0400<br></div><div dir="ltr">From: John E Simmons <<a ymailto="mailto:simmons.johne@gmail.com" href="mailto:simmons.johne@gmail.com">simmons.johne@gmail.com</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">To: Gretchen Meier <<a ymailto="mailto:gameier@d.umn.edu" href="mailto:gameier@d.umn.edu">gameier@d.umn.edu</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">Cc: NHCOLL-new <<a ymailto="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Alcohol concentrations for preserving flowers<br></div><div dir="ltr">Message-ID:<br></div><div dir="ltr"> <CAF7GCDbrLDSpFEYuRA5Hi1bg5J3oPOppJj=<a ymailto="mailto:29_ijOokGq84sUw@mail.gmail.com" href="mailto:29_ijOokGq84sUw@mail.gmail.com">29_ijOokGq84sUw@mail.gmail.com</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Gretchen,<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">I was hoping that a botanist might respond on the list with a<br></div><div dir="ltr">recommendation for you (botany is not my specialty). I can tell you that<br></div><div dir="ltr">the original Kew mixture was 53 percent industrial methylated spirits (IMS,<br></div><div dir="ltr">which is ethyl alcohol containing 9 percent water and 2?4 percent<br></div><div dir="ltr">methanol), 37 percent water, 5 percent formalin (?dilute formaldehyde?),<br></div><div dir="ltr">and 5 percent glycerol (Forman and Bridson 1989).<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">A note in the second edition of *The Herbarium Handbook* (1992) stated that<br></div><div dir="ltr">due to controls on hazardous chemicals, the original formula at Kew had<br></div><div dir="ltr">been withdrawn and replaced by a mixture of ?70% alcohol (ethanol, or<br></div><div dir="ltr">ethanol + trace of methanol), 29% water and 1% glycerol. If using 90%<br></div><div dir="ltr">strength Industrial Methylated Spirit (IMS) the mixture is 78% IMS, 21%<br></div><div dir="ltr">water and 1% glycerol. With different strengths of IMS the proportions must<br></div><div dir="ltr">be adjusted accordingly? (Forman and Bridson 1989, 210).<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">In the third edition (Bridson and Forman 1998) the Kew mixture recipe was<br></div><div dir="ltr">ten parts IMS, one part formalin, one part glycerol, and eight parts water.<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">The Kew mixture was supposed to help preserve the color in plants. If your<br></div><div dir="ltr">concern is just to preserve flowers sufficiently for them to be dissected,<br></div><div dir="ltr">you might try 70% ETOH, with no other additions. If the specimens are not<br></div><div dir="ltr">intended to be saved as museum specimens, you could use denatured 70% ETOH,<br></div><div dir="ltr">which is considerably less expensive.<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Hope this helps.<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">--John<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">John E. Simmons<br></div><div dir="ltr">Writer and Museum Consultant<br></div><div dir="ltr">Museologica<br></div><div dir="ltr">*and*<br></div><div dir="ltr">Associate Curator of Collections<br></div><div dir="ltr">Earth and Mineral Science Museum & Art Gallery<br></div><div dir="ltr">Penn State University<br></div><div dir="ltr">*and*<br></div><div dir="ltr">Investigador Asociado, Departamento de Ornitologia<br></div><div dir="ltr">Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">On Fri, May 7, 2021 at 4:37 PM Gretchen Meier <<a ymailto="mailto:gameier@d.umn.edu" href="mailto:gameier@d.umn.edu">gameier@d.umn.edu</a>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">> Hi there!<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Is there a recommended ETOH concentration for preserving flowers for later<br></div><div dir="ltr">> dissection? In a pinch, I've used cheap vodka (about 40%) but I'm not sure<br></div><div dir="ltr">> I want to bring that into a classroom. Any suggestions?<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> --<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Gretchen Meier (*she/her/hers*)<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Olga Lakela Herbarium (DUL)<br></div><div dir="ltr">> University of Minnesota Duluth<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <a ymailto="mailto:gameier@d.umn.edu" href="mailto:gameier@d.umn.edu">gameier@d.umn.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">> 218.726.6542<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> *Naturum expellas furca, tamen usque recurret - Homer *<br></div><div dir="ltr">> 'you may drive nature out with a pitchfork, but she will come hurrying<br></div><div dir="ltr">> back'<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Nhcoll-l mailing list<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <a ymailto="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">> <a href="https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l" target="_blank">https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">> NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose<br></div><div dir="ltr">> mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of<br></div><div dir="ltr">> natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to<br></div><div dir="ltr">> society. See <a href="http://www.spnhc.org " target="_blank">http://www.spnhc.org </a>for membership information.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate.<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">-------------- next part --------------<br></div><div dir="ltr">An HTML attachment was scrubbed...<br></div><div dir="ltr">URL: <<a href="http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210510/0da836e9/attachment-0001.html" target="_blank">http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210510/0da836e9/attachment-0001.html</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">------------------------------<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Message: 14<br></div><div dir="ltr">Date: Mon, 10 May 2021 22:35:01 +0200<br></div><div dir="ltr">From: Dirk Neumann <<a ymailto="mailto:neumann@snsb.de" href="mailto:neumann@snsb.de">neumann@snsb.de</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">To: <a ymailto="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Alcohol concentrations for preserving flowers<br></div><div dir="ltr">Message-ID: <<a ymailto="mailto:4c0225cc-fd76-f642-f9d6-5e3ee84225a8@snsb.de" href="mailto:4c0225cc-fd76-f642-f9d6-5e3ee84225a8@snsb.de">4c0225cc-fd76-f642-f9d6-5e3ee84225a8@snsb.de</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"; Format="flowed"<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">... it might be worth adding that some denaturants as some ketones are <br></div><div dir="ltr">also used as component in chromatography and extract pigments quite well <br></div><div dir="ltr">(not all, put some). Natural colours can be caused by quite different <br></div><div dir="ltr">effects and sources, e.g., pigments, unsaturated [metal] ions as key <br></div><div dir="ltr">element in chelating agents, optical refraction on crystals embedded in <br></div><div dir="ltr">tissues, etc..<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Often, the effect of visual colour we see in the specimens we collect is <br></div><div dir="ltr">caused by electron excitation in biomolecules, which cause changes in <br></div><div dir="ltr">the bonding or chemistry of respective molecules. Most of our fixatives <br></div><div dir="ltr">and storage fluids tend to be highly polar, and through polarisation or <br></div><div dir="ltr">depolarisation of respective biomolecules, colours usually fade - cf. <br></div><div dir="ltr">colour reaction in many indicators we use.<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">There are few natural pigments that are stable, but admittedly few. And <br></div><div dir="ltr">I would always be careful with bright coloured, historic teaching <br></div><div dir="ltr">specimens prepared around 1900 ... As old bold bright paints, the <br></div><div dir="ltr">ingredient are rarely healthy (and usually containing heavy metals such <br></div><div dir="ltr">as cadmium, chrome, lead, etc.)<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">With best wishes<br></div><div dir="ltr">Dirk<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Am 10.05.2021 um 20:10 schrieb John E Simmons:<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Gretchen,<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> I was hoping that a botanist might respond on the list with a <br></div><div dir="ltr">> recommendation for you (botany is not my specialty). I can tell you <br></div><div dir="ltr">> that the original Kew mixture was 53 percent industrial methylated <br></div><div dir="ltr">> spirits (IMS, which is ethyl alcohol containing 9 percent water and <br></div><div dir="ltr">> 2?4 percent methanol), 37 percent water, 5 percent formalin (?dilute <br></div><div dir="ltr">> formaldehyde?), and 5 percent glycerol (Forman and Bridson 1989).<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> A note in the second edition of /The Herbarium Handbook/ (1992) stated <br></div><div dir="ltr">> that due to controls on hazardous chemicals, the original formula at <br></div><div dir="ltr">> Kew had been withdrawn and replaced by a mixture of ?70% alcohol <br></div><div dir="ltr">> (ethanol, or ethanol + trace of methanol), 29% water and 1% glycerol. <br></div><div dir="ltr">> If using 90% strength Industrial Methylated Spirit (IMS) the mixture <br></div><div dir="ltr">> is 78% IMS, 21% water and 1% glycerol. With different strengths of IMS <br></div><div dir="ltr">> the proportions must be adjusted accordingly? (Forman and Bridson <br></div><div dir="ltr">> 1989, 210).<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> In the third edition (Bridson and Forman 1998) the Kew mixture recipe <br></div><div dir="ltr">> was ten parts IMS, one part formalin, one part glycerol, and eight <br></div><div dir="ltr">> parts water.<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> The Kew mixture was supposed to help preserve the color in plants. If <br></div><div dir="ltr">> your concern is just to preserve flowers sufficiently for them to be <br></div><div dir="ltr">> dissected, you might try 70% ETOH, with no other additions. If the <br></div><div dir="ltr">> specimens are not intended to be saved as museum specimens, you could <br></div><div dir="ltr">> use denatured 70% ETOH, which is considerably less expensive.<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> Hope this helps.<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> --John<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> John E. Simmons<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Writer and Museum Consultant<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Museologica<br></div><div dir="ltr">> /and/<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Associate Curator of Collections<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Earth and Mineral Science Museum & Art Gallery<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Penn State University<br></div><div dir="ltr">> /and/<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Investigador Asociado, Departamento de Ornitologia<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> On Fri, May 7, 2021 at 4:37 PM Gretchen Meier <<a ymailto="mailto:gameier@d.umn.edu" href="mailto:gameier@d.umn.edu">gameier@d.umn.edu</a> <br></div><div dir="ltr">> <mailto:<a ymailto="mailto:gameier@d.umn.edu" href="mailto:gameier@d.umn.edu">gameier@d.umn.edu</a>>> wrote:<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> Hi there!<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Is there a recommended ETOH concentration for preserving flowers<br></div><div dir="ltr">> for later dissection? In a pinch, I've used cheap vodka (about<br></div><div dir="ltr">> 40%) but I'm not sure I want to bring that into a classroom.? Any<br></div><div dir="ltr">> suggestions?<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> -- <br></div><div dir="ltr">> Gretchen Meier (/she/her/hers/)<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Olga Lakela Herbarium (DUL)<br></div><div dir="ltr">> University of Minnesota Duluth<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <a ymailto="mailto:gameier@d.umn.edu" href="mailto:gameier@d.umn.edu">gameier@d.umn.edu</a> <mailto:<a ymailto="mailto:gameier@d.umn.edu" href="mailto:gameier@d.umn.edu">gameier@d.umn.edu</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">> 218.726.6542<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> /Naturum expellas furca, tamen usque recurret - Homer /<br></div><div dir="ltr">> 'you may drive nature out with a pitchfork, but she will come<br></div><div dir="ltr">> hurrying back'<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Nhcoll-l mailing list<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <a ymailto="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a> <mailto:<a ymailto="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">> <a href="https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l" target="_blank">https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">> <<a href="https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l" target="_blank">https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">> NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose<br></div><div dir="ltr">> mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of<br></div><div dir="ltr">> natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to<br></div><div dir="ltr">> society. See <a href="http://www.spnhc.org " target="_blank">http://www.spnhc.org </a><<a href="http://www.spnhc.org" target="_blank">http://www.spnhc.org</a>> for<br></div><div dir="ltr">> membership information.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate.<br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Nhcoll-l mailing list<br></div><div dir="ltr">> <a ymailto="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">> <a href="https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l" target="_blank">https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">><br></div><div dir="ltr">> _______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">> NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose<br></div><div dir="ltr">> mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of<br></div><div dir="ltr">> natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to<br></div><div dir="ltr">> society. See <a href="http://www.spnhc.org " target="_blank">http://www.spnhc.org </a>for membership information.<br></div><div dir="ltr">> Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate.<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">-- <br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Dirk Neumann<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Tel: 089 / 8107-111<br></div><div dir="ltr">Fax: 089 / 8107-300<br></div><div dir="ltr">neumann(a)snsb.de<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Postanschrift:<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Staatliche Naturwissenschaftliche Sammlungen Bayerns<br></div><div dir="ltr">Zoologische Staatssammlung M?nchen<br></div><div dir="ltr">Dirk Neumann, Sektion Ichthyologie / DNA-Storage<br></div><div dir="ltr">M?nchhausenstr. 21<br></div><div dir="ltr">81247 M?nchen<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Besuchen Sie unsere Sammlung:<br></div><div dir="ltr"><a href="http://www.zsm.mwn.de/sektion/ichthyologie-home/" target="_blank">http://www.zsm.mwn.de/sektion/ichthyologie-home/</a><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">---------<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Dirk Neumann<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Tel: +49-89-8107-111<br></div><div dir="ltr">Fax: +49-89-8107-300<br></div><div dir="ltr">neumann(a)snsb.de<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">postal address:<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Bavarian Natural History Collections<br></div><div dir="ltr">The Bavarian State Collection of Zoology<br></div><div dir="ltr">Dirk Neumann, Section Ichthyology / DNA-Storage<br></div><div dir="ltr">Muenchhausenstr. 21<br></div><div dir="ltr">81247 Munich (Germany)<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Visit our section at:<br></div><div dir="ltr"><a href="http://www.zsm.mwn.de/sektion/ichthyologie-home/" target="_blank">http://www.zsm.mwn.de/sektion/ichthyologie-home/</a><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">-------------- next part --------------<br></div><div dir="ltr">An HTML attachment was scrubbed...<br></div><div dir="ltr">URL: <<a href="http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210510/34d7737b/attachment-0001.html" target="_blank">http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210510/34d7737b/attachment-0001.html</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">-------------- next part --------------<br></div><div dir="ltr">A non-text attachment was scrubbed...<br></div><div dir="ltr">Name: edfdpafabolkjcjm.png<br></div><div dir="ltr">Type: image/png<br></div><div dir="ltr">Size: 23308 bytes<br></div><div dir="ltr">Desc: not available<br></div><div dir="ltr">URL: <<a href="http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210510/34d7737b/attachment-0001.png" target="_blank">http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210510/34d7737b/attachment-0001.png</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">------------------------------<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Message: 15<br></div><div dir="ltr">Date: Tue, 11 May 2021 19:27:16 -0400 (EDT)<br></div><div dir="ltr">From: "<a ymailto="mailto:membership@spnhc.org" href="mailto:membership@spnhc.org">membership@spnhc.org</a>" <<a ymailto="mailto:membership@spnhc.org" href="mailto:membership@spnhc.org">membership@spnhc.org</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">To: <a ymailto="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr">Subject: [Nhcoll-l] SPNHC Education DemoCamp 2021<br></div><div dir="ltr">Message-ID: <<a ymailto="mailto:1620775636.256320094@apps.rackspace.com" href="mailto:1620775636.256320094@apps.rackspace.com">1620775636.256320094@apps.rackspace.com</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"> <br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">The Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections Education Sessional Committee is hosting a virtual [ Natural History Collection Education DemoCamp<br></div><div dir="ltr"> ]( <a href="https://spnhc.org/education-democamp/ " target="_blank">https://spnhc.org/education-democamp/ </a>)The goal is to share, discover, and discuss educational materials that have a framework in natural history. This is building upon our previous iterations of the 'education share fair' that were hosted at the annual meeting. <br></div><div dir="ltr"> <br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Where: Zoom, of course!<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">When: 28th and 29th of June, the amount of time blocks will be dependent on the number of presenters. <br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Cost: Free!<br></div><div dir="ltr"> <br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">[ Presenter registration ]( <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/u/1/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-wvV0pxDutboRlywLETIICxEUOOFkJOAd7eAlms5lIdtSqQ/viewform " target="_blank">https://docs.google.com/forms/u/1/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-wvV0pxDutboRlywLETIICxEUOOFkJOAd7eAlms5lIdtSqQ/viewform </a>) is open until June 6th and[ general attendee registration ]( <a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZItcuqtqjMsG9GhIqNsWpIaNf7ilXh-gVeF " target="_blank">https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZItcuqtqjMsG9GhIqNsWpIaNf7ilXh-gVeF </a>) will be open up until the event.Please see the [ website ]( <a href="https://spnhc.org/education-democamp/ " target="_blank">https://spnhc.org/education-democamp/ </a>)for additional details and reach out to us with any questions: [ <a ymailto="mailto:educationdemocamp@gmail.com" href="mailto:educationdemocamp@gmail.com">educationdemocamp@gmail.com</a> ]( mailto:<a ymailto="mailto:educationdemocamp@gmail.com" href="mailto:educationdemocamp@gmail.com">educationdemocamp@gmail.com</a> )<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"> <br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Anna Monfils & Molly Philips, Committee Co-Chairs<br></div><div dir="ltr">Jen Bauer & Liz Leith, Committee Co-Secretary<br></div><div dir="ltr">Julie Robinson, Jessa Watters, & Kari Harris, Committee Members<br></div><div dir="ltr">-------------- next part --------------<br></div><div dir="ltr">An HTML attachment was scrubbed...<br></div><div dir="ltr">URL: <<a href="http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210511/42eac856/attachment-0001.html" target="_blank">http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210511/42eac856/attachment-0001.html</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">------------------------------<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Message: 16<br></div><div dir="ltr">Date: Wed, 12 May 2021 04:35:10 +0000<br></div><div dir="ltr">From: "Haff, Tonya (NCMI, Crace)" <<a ymailto="mailto:Tonya.Haff@csiro.au" href="mailto:Tonya.Haff@csiro.au">Tonya.Haff@csiro.au</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">To: "<a ymailto="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a>" <<a ymailto="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr">Subject: [Nhcoll-l] freezing blown eggs<br></div><div dir="ltr">Message-ID:<br></div><div dir="ltr"> <<a ymailto="mailto:ME2PR01MB2676989C0A01F44E615DE9F6EE529@ME2PR01MB2676.ausprd01.prod.outlook.com" href="mailto:ME2PR01MB2676989C0A01F44E615DE9F6EE529@ME2PR01MB2676.ausprd01.prod.outlook.com">ME2PR01MB2676989C0A01F44E615DE9F6EE529@ME2PR01MB2676.ausprd01.prod.outlook.com</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr"> <br></div><div dir="ltr">Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Hello all,<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">I am wondering if any of you have thoughts on freezing egg collections for pest control? I imagine that it is probably ok, but then I wonder if there could be problems to the shell structure. Note I realise that there is not much for museum pests to eat in a blown egg, but there are lots of places for them to hide in and around the their housing. As usual, any thoughts or feedback would be very appreciated!<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Cheers,<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Tonya<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">---------------------------------------------------------<br></div><div dir="ltr">Dr Tonya Haff<br></div><div dir="ltr">Collection Manager<br></div><div dir="ltr">Australian National Wildlife Collection<br></div><div dir="ltr">National Research Collections Australia, CSIRO<br></div><div dir="ltr">Canberra, Australia<br></div><div dir="ltr">Phone: (+61) 02 6242 1566 (office)<br></div><div dir="ltr">(+61) 0419 569 109 (mobile)<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">-------------- next part --------------<br></div><div dir="ltr">An HTML attachment was scrubbed...<br></div><div dir="ltr">URL: <<a href="http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210512/450e31e1/attachment.html" target="_blank">http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20210512/450e31e1/attachment.html</a>><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">------------------------------<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Subject: Digest Footer<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">_______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">Nhcoll-l mailing list<br></div><div dir="ltr"><a ymailto="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu" href="mailto:Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu">Nhcoll-l@mailman.yale.edu</a><br></div><div dir="ltr"><a href="https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l" target="_blank">https://mailman.yale.edu/mailman/listinfo/nhcoll-l</a><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">_______________________________________________<br></div><div dir="ltr">NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of<br></div><div dir="ltr">Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose<br></div><div dir="ltr">mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of<br></div><div dir="ltr">natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to<br></div><div dir="ltr">society. See <a href="http://www.spnhc.org " target="_blank">http://www.spnhc.org </a>for membership information.<br></div><div dir="ltr">Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate.<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">------------------------------<br></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">End of Nhcoll-l Digest, Vol 108, Issue 4<br></div><div dir="ltr">****************************************<br></div></div>
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