[Nhcoll-l] Long-term Storage of Cleared and Stained Specimens

[Sarah K. Huber]

I am curious to hear what people think is the best long-term storage medium for cleared and stained specimens (in our case fishes). I have seen recommendations for glycerin in concentrations ranging from 100-70%, and dilutions with water, ethanol, or KOH. I have also seen arguments for and against the addition of thymol. However, since our collection has had mold outbreaks in the past, any long term storage medium we use must have some kind of additive to prevent molding.



In addition, I have come across some older cleared and stained specimens that were transferred to 70% ethanol at some point in the distant past. Is it recommended to keep these specimens in ethanol or to try and move them back into glycerin?



Thanks in advance,

Sarah

Sarah K. Huber, Ph.D.
Research Assistant Professor of Biology and Marine Science
Collection Manager, VIMS Ichthyology Collection
804.684.7104 | Collection 804.684.7285
skhuber at vims.edu | www.vims.edu
PO Box 1346 | Rt. 1208 Greate Rd., Gloucester Pt., VA 23062

[VimsLogo]
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20140819/bebca5e7/attachment.html