[NHCOLL-L:1458] Formalin & DNA

[Sandra C. Lindstrom]

Jeff Hughey has worked out a protocol for extracting amplifiable DNA from
old and/or formalin-fixed seaweeds.  As others have noted, only small chunks
of DNA are retrievable from such material.  Jeff was able to sequence ITS1
in his material, which included many type specimens, some nearly 200 years
old:

Hughey, J. R., Silva, P. C., & Hommersand, M. H.  2001.  Solving taxonomic
and nomenclatural problems in Pacific Gigartinaceae (Rhodophyta) using DNA
from type material.  J. Phycol. 37: 1091-1109.

Sandra Lindstrom
Department of Botany & Herbarium
#3529 - 6270 University Blvd.
University of British Columbia
Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z4