[NHCOLL-L:3274] Fwd: Re: Herpetological storage help, please!

[Laura Abraczinskas]

>Date: Thu, 21 Dec 2006 18:06:01 -0500
>To: jlinn at sciencebuff.org
>From: Laura Abraczinskas <abraczi1 at msu.edu>
>Subject: Re: [NHCOLL-L:3273] Herpetological storage help, please!
>
>Hi Jean,
>
>I am sure you will receive a number of responses to your inquiries.  This 
>reply reflects my experience with and resources used in the Michigan State 
>University Museum collections.  MSU Museum's fluid-preserved specimens are 
>stored in 70% Ethanol, with the exception of a small number of 
>cleared-and-stained material in glycerine.  We obtained jars and lids from 
>Kols Containers (see suppliers in the SPNHC Storage Book Storage of 
>Natural History Collections: Ideas and Practical Solutions  mentioned 
>below).  Our fluid-preserved types are stored in Borosilicate ground glass 
>jars from Dixon Scientific (see article by Paul Clark in the Storage Book).
>
>I found the following references helpful - perhaps you will too.  (Note we 
>do not reuse ethanol as mentioned in Cathy Hawks' article, but her article 
>contains helpful information).  You can get the Conserve O Gram articles 
>online via PDF (Just do a Google search).
>
>
>Bayless, J. and C. Shepherd. 1993. Removing Wet Specimens from Long-Term 
>Storage in Formalin. Conserve O Gram 11/1. National Park Service, 
>Washington, D.C.
>
>Hawks, C.  2003.  Re-Use of Ethanol in Processing Biological Specimens. 
>Conserve O Gram 11/5.  National Park Service, Washington, D.C.
>
>Simmons, J.E. 2002.  Herpetological Collecting and Collections Management. 
>Herpetological Circular No. 31. Society for the Study of Amphibians and 
>Reptiles.
>
>Simmons, J.E.  2001.  Safe Storage and Handling of Natural History 
>Specimens Preserved in Fluid.  Conserve O Gram 2/18.  National Park 
>Service, Washington, D.C.
>
>Simmons, J.E.  1999.  Storage Containers and Labels For Fluid-Preserved 
>Collections.  Conserve O Gram 11/4. National Park Service, Washington, D.C.
>
>Simmons, J.E.  1999.  Storage Concerns for Fluid-Preserved 
>Collections.  Conserve O Gram 11/3. National Park Service, Washington, D.C.
>
>Simmons, J.E.  1995.  Storage in Fluid Preservatives.  Pp. 161-186 in 
>Storage of Natural History Collections: A Preventive Conservation 
>Approach.  (C.L. Rose, C.A. hawks, and H.H. Genoways, eds.).  Society for 
>the Preservation of Natural History Collections, Iowa City, Iowa
>
>Simmons, J.E. 1992. Vial Supports for Cleared and Stained Specimens. Pp. 
>215-216 in Storage of Natural History Collections: Ideas and Practical 
>Solutions. (C.L. Rose and A.R. de Torres, eds.).  Society for the 
>Preservation of Natural History Collections. York Graphics, York, Pennsylvania.
>
>Simmons, J.E.  1991.  Conservation Problems of Fluid-Preserved 
>Collections.  Pp. 69-89 in Natural History Museums: Directions for Growth. 
>(P. S. Cato and C. Jones, eds.). Texas Tech University Press, Lubbock, Texas
>
>Steigerwald, M. and S. Laframboise.  1996.  Tape Application: A Jar 
>Sealing Method for Reducing Ethanol Evaporation in Fluid-Preserved 
>Collections.  Collection Forum 12(2):45-54.
>
>Regarding the "acetone smell" that you mentioned - we once received a 
>returned loan of fluid-preserved specimens that smelled terrible (like 
>strong nail polish remover).  We learned that the borrower stored our 
>specimens in denatured ethanol, and aviation fuel was the denaturant (aargh).
>
>Best,
>Laura
>
>
>At 03:24 PM 12/21/2006, you wrote:
>>Hello all,
>>
>>We have many different specimens stored in fluid filled jars, including 
>>many reptiles, fish, and small mammals. Some liquid is discolored and 
>>some are starting to suffer from evaporation. We are planning to refresh 
>>these collections. Any and all advice would be much appreciated as we 
>>begin this endeavor.
>>
>>    * There are many specimens currently stored in formalin, can we 
>> transfer these items to an alcohol solution? Is one medium preferred 
>> over the other?
>>
>>    * Also, what percentage of Isopropyl Alcohol or Ethanol is generally 
>> used? Which solution is more commonly used? (We have both in our collection)
>>
>>    * It seems we have specimens in many different solutions, can we 
>> consolidate? For example, a kidney cross section is stored in a 
>> spearmint smelling fluid
 Any clues? Have you heard of any specimens 
>> stored in acetone? There is a reptile in a distinct acetone smelling solution.
>>
>>Again, thanks in advance for any help!!
>>
>>
>>Jean Linn
>>Collections Manager
>>Buffalo Museum of Science
>>1020 Humboldt Parkway
>>Buffalo, New York 14211
>>716-896-5200 x321
>>716-897-6723 (fax)
>><mailto:jlinn at sciencebuff.org>jlinn at sciencebuff.org
>>
>>
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>
>Laura Abraczinskas
>Collections Manager
>Vertebrate Natural History Collections
>Michigan State University Museum
>West Circle Drive
>East Lansing, Michigan 48824-1045
>
>517/355-1290 (office)
>517/432-2846 (FAX)

Laura Abraczinskas
Collections Manager
Vertebrate Natural History Collections
Michigan State University Museum
West Circle Drive
East Lansing, Michigan 48824-1045

517/355-1290 (office)
517/432-2846 (FAX)