[NHCOLL-L:5141] RE: white crystals appearing on specimens in fluid, any i...

Thu Dec 16 20:00:36 EST 2010

Along the same lines; I had a problem with a snake where the fluid level had
dropped by about two thirds. Long crystal-like strands were left on the dry
parts, running from the side of the jar to the specimen; looked similar to
salts under a microscope and dissolved in 75% IMS but I didn't have anyone
take a proper look.  They came off easily and didn't damage the specimen.
Doesn't sound like what you're describing but a similar topic, if anyone has
seen this too?
Kate

------------------------------
Kate Pocklington
Oxford University Museum of Natural History
Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PW
Tel: 01865 272996 (or 272978)

From: <Couteaufin at aol.com<mailto:Couteaufin at aol.com>>
Date: 16 December 2010 22:47
Subject: [NHCOLL-L:5139] RE: white crystals appearing on specimens in fluid,
any i...
To: JPRICE at mus-nature.ca<mailto:JPRICE at mus-nature.ca>,
hcampbell-melvin at amnh.org<mailto:hcampbell-melvin at amnh.org>,
NHCOLL-L at lists.yale.edu<mailto:NHCOLL-L at lists.yale.edu>

Heather,

I have observed this before on specimens prepared by Fric (Prague) et al.
where little white waxy blobs form on the edge of the vials covered with
netting - I presume that yours are similar.
Chemically these should dissolve in alcohol but if the preservative contains
enough aqueous-based reagents then the precipitation/coagulation is
possible.  Could well be cholesterol.  I am still surprised however, that it
forms on top of the tubes rather than the specimens themselves.

Hope that this ramble is useful in some way.

With all good wishes, Simon

Simon Moore MIScT, FLS, ACR,
Conservator of Natural Sciences,
20 Newbury Street,
Whitchurch RG28 7DN.
 www.natural-history-conservation.com<
http://www.natural-history-conservation.com/>
www.pocket-fruit-knives.info<http://www.pocket-fruit-knives.info/>

http://uk.linkedin.com/in/naturalsciencespecimenconserve

In a message dated 16/12/2010 22:20:54 GMT Standard Time,
JPRICE at mus-nature.ca<mailto:JPRICE at mus-nature.ca> writes:
Heather

I had similar stuff in a jar of tapeworms, although in this case it was
white pearly flakes. I had our mineralogy guys run it under the x-ray
chromatograph.  They tell me it's cholesterol, likely dissolved out of the
tissues and then precipitated.

But dammit Jim, I'm a collection manager, not a chemist!
Judith

Judith C. Price
Secretary, Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections
Assistant Collections Manager, Invertebrates / Gestionnaire adjointe des
collections invertébrés
Canadian Museum of Nature / Musée canadien de la Nature
PO Box 3443 Station D / CP 3443 Succ <<D>>
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 6P4 CANADA
Tel.613.566.4263 / Fax.613.364.4027
jprice at mus-nature.ca<mailto:jprice at mus-nature.ca>
@nature_jcp
www.nature.ca<http://www.nature.ca> / www.spnhc.org<http://www.spnhc.org>

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu<mailto:owner-nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu>
[mailto:owner-nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu<mailto:owner-nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu>]
On Behalf Of Heather Campbell
Sent: Thursday, December 16, 2010 3:21 PM
To: NHCOLL-L at lists.yale.edu<mailto:NHCOLL-L at lists.yale.edu>
Subject: [NHCOLL-L:5137] white crystals appearing on specimens in fluid, any
ideas?

Hello all,

While rehousing the bee wet collection I have noticed that some vials
contain specimens that have white material growing (?) on them.  Here are
a few details that may be important when considering a diagnosis:
1. Only vials containing larvae (maybe pupae) are affected
2. Different species and different years (but always older than 5yrs) and
different locals
3. Preservative used: Kahle's sol
                      acetic acid (glacial) 10%
                      formalin (37%)        10%
                      water                 25%
                      Ethanol (75%)         55%
4. Easily scraped away and has a plaque-like resemblance
5. no visible damage done to specimen (naked eye)

I have pictures but am unable to send due to limits on message size.  I
will be happy to send these along to anyone who is interested.

Thank you

Heather M. Campbell
Bee Curatorial Assistant
Division of Invertebrate Zoology
American Museum of Natural History
Central Park West @ 79th st.
New York, NY 10024-5192
212-496-3447

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