[NHCOLL-L:864] Getting invertebrates to chill out.

[Sendall, Kelly]

		Greetings fellow museum people

			I am interested in seeing any articles,
publications, studies, experiments, literature reviews, or personal
experience in relation to using propylene phenoxytol (propylene phenoxetol;
ethylene glycol phenol ether; 2-phenoxyethanol) as a relaxant on
invertebrates, other than terrestrial arthropods, (no offense intended)
before fixation. Detailed taxonomic examination of many invertebrate groups
is usually more reliable and easier if the specimens are properly relaxed
before fixation. Worms and molluscs are two good examples. To relax
individuals from different groups optimally before fixation requires sorting
before any treatment is done. Although, for best results treatments should
be done as soon as possible. Treating groups separately can involve many
methods and chemicals. A few general methods have been used traditionally
such as warm water, dripping ethanol, or propylene phenoxytol. However, I
have not seen any actual tests on groups of invertebrates using propylene
phenoxytol as the relaxant for example. If anyone knows of any I would
appreciate references or contact names. 

		Also, if anyone uses something different as an effective
relaxant I would also like to hear about it?

Gratefully,


Kelly Sendall
Collection Manager,
Invertebrates, Fish and Herpetology
Royal British Columbia Museum
675 Belleville Street
Victoria BC CANADA V8V 1X4
250.387.2932  250.356.8197 FAX
Mailto:ksendall at royalbcmuseum.bc.ca