[NHCOLL-L:1395] Sealing bone after sampling for DNA

[rich at thewildlifemuseum.org]

It seems to me that once a bone has been sampled for DNA, and the results
published, that particular bone attains a new status.  As what, I don't
quite know, but analogous perhaps to a figured specimen in paleontology.
Since it then becomes a voucher specimen for the genetic information, my
first thought is that the less done to it the better.  I'd suggest simply
sealing that individual bone in a high quality small plastic bag.  While
certain fillers and the vehicles (solvents) used for them may not hurt the
bone as far as we know now, it is only a matter of time before some one
publishes "The migration of filler solvents into avian bone tissue and
consequent destruction of DNA" in the Collection Forum.

Rich White
International Wildlife Museum