[Nhcoll-l] [EXTERN] Transferring a worm to new fixative

[Shoobs, Nate]

Definitely seems like a water-based solution to me, it’s not oily at all, and doesn’t make ethanol-based ink run (it passes the sharpie paper strip test)

I think density and concentration difference for sure, because I could see the little swirly  rivulets of fluid swirling around the portion of the specimen I dipped. When I say peeling, it was the outermost layer of epidermis starting to peel off in little pieces. I had the tail end of it in formalin for ~ 5 minutes.

At first I was thinking this might just be an earthworm specific thing. I really don’t know much about annelid preservation, but hopefully someone on-list does.
-N

-
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/>
________________________________
From: Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> on behalf of Dirk Neumann <d.neumann at leibniz-lib.de>
Sent: Wednesday, March 25, 2026 1:07:32 PM
To: nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu <nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu>
Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] [EXTERN] Transferring a worm to new fixative

Hi Nate, 'skin started peeling' sounds odd and might point to density differences. Can you tell if this is a water-based or alcohol-based preservative? Could also be an oil-based preservative with very high density. But guess it is worth figuring

Hi Nate,

'skin started peeling' sounds odd and might point to density differences. Can you tell if this is a water-based or alcohol-based preservative?

Could also be an oil-based preservative with very high density. But guess it is worth figuring out in what the specimen sits before starting to move it into something else, if there is such a strong reaction like peeling skin.

Not much, but perhaps a useful thought.

With best wishes
Dirk



Am 25.03.2026 um 17:57 schrieb 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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--
Stiftung Leibniz-Institut zur Analyse des Biodiversitätswandels
Postanschrift: Adenauerallee 127, 53113 Bonn, Germany

Stiftung des öffentlichen Rechts;
Generaldirektion: Prof. Dr. Bernhard Misof (Generaldirektor), Adrian Grüter (Kaufm. Geschäftsführer)
Sitz der Stiftung: Adenauerallee 160 in Bonn
Vorsitzender des Stiftungsrates: Dr. Michael H. Wappelhorst
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