[NHCOLL-L:837] Re: thread for herp tags

[Sean Barry]

On Wed, 10 Jan 2001, Jessica Rosales wrote:

> Hello,
> 
> Any recommendations for cotton thread used for tying tags onto herps?  I've 
> tried unsuccessfully to get samples from Coats American several times.   We 
> tried using DMC Cebelia but found it to unravel too much.  Any other 
> suggestions?


Intrinsic size 16 100% cotton thread is ideal, though I don't know if it
still available.  It has/had the right combination of diameter, strength,
ravel, and stiffness to work for wet and dry specimens.  MVZ at Berkeley
used it at least into the 1980's, and may still.  White linen thread is
also commonly used at many institutions.  Some plastic-based threads are
in use, but the very long-term effects of alcohol immersion on most
plastics are unknown.

Sean Barry