[Nhcoll-l] Mold or fungal growth in herpetology collection

[Indah Huegele]

Hello everyone,

I was wondering if I could get feedback on some scary-looking growths on a
few herpetology specimens in our collection (photos attached here). Any
thoughts on what these residues are and/or advice on how to treat them
would be much appreciated!

*Orange-brown bumps. **(images 143927 and 143900) *There are small,
orange-brown, round bumps on one specimen that has had its tail exposed
from fluid levels that are too low. I completely replaced the ethanol for
this specimen and tried to gently scrape off the growth, but most of it was
quite dried on, so I left it soaking in fresh 70% ethanol for the time
being. Is this definitely fungal? Should I try to scrape the rest of the
growth off the specimen's tail or leave it alone?

*White layer of residue.* *(all other images) *On a few salamander
specimens, there is this opaque, white layer of residue. This is occurring
on salamander specimens that are completely submerged in ethanol. (However,
I am not sure what the concentration of this ethanol is or the last time
that it was changed out; I worry it might have lost ethanol concentration
over time.) Any thoughts on what this might be and how to treat it?

I took over this collection a few months ago, so I am still discovering
issues with specimens. I appreciate any suggestions that you folks have to
offer on how to help these poor specimens!

Thanks,

Indah


Indah B. Huegele, PhD
Life Sciences Collection Manager | Idaho Museum of Natural History

Museum Bldg | Room 220
921 S 8th Ave, Stop 8096 | Pocatello, Idaho 83209
(208) 282-2815 | indahhuegele at isu.edu
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