[Nhcoll-l] Transferring a worm to new fixative

[Shoobs, Nate]

Hey all,
We have a display specimen of a Giant Australian earth worm (Megalascides) with no data in our collection. It's in nice condition, but the fluid it's preserved in is quite dark orange (presumeably colors leeched from the animal) and thus it makes the specimen hard to see and appreciate.

I want to transfer it to fresh fluid so it's easier to examine, but I can't figure out what it's preserved in. I initially thought it was in 10% formalin, but test-dipping a portion of the animal in a fresh jar of 10% formalin caused a pretty immediate visible reaction (skin started peeling). The preservative is definitely not ethanol. It has an acrid odor like formalin. I don't have Schiff's reagent on hand. The specimen was acquired in the mid 60s early 70s, so I think it rules out many of the more obscure Victorian fixatives.

Any suggestions on a protocol to safely transfer it to a fixative that is less opaque (fresh formalin or ethanol)? The primary purpose of the transfer is for display and teaching, as the specimen is uncatalogued and has no data other than the ID, so the only thing that matters in this case is making sure it's not ruined aesthetically. (And of course, making sure I can figure out what the old preservative is to safely dispose of it).

-Nate
-
Nathaniel F. Shoobs, Curator of Mollusks
College of Arts & Sciences Dept. of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University
Museum of Biological Diversity
1315 Kinnear Rd, Columbus, OH 43212
614-688-1342 (Office)
mbd.osu.edu<http://mbd.osu.edu/>
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