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

[John E Simmons]

Try using the salting out method to see if it tests positive for isopropyl,
ethanol, or formaldehyde

Finkelde, I., and R.R. Waller. 2020. Salting out: A simple and reliable
method to distinguish between common fluid preservatives and estimate
alcohol concentration. Collection Forum 34(1): 11-31.

John E. Simmons
US Fulbright Senior Scholar
Writer and Museum Consultant, Museologica
*and*
Research Associate, Earth and Mineral Sciences Museum & Art Gallery, Penn
State University
*and*
Investigador Asociado, Departamento de Ornitología, Museo de Historia
Natural, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima


On Wed, Mar 25, 2026 at 1:07 PM Dirk Neumann <d.neumann at leibniz-lib.de>
wrote:

> 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
>
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> --
>
> ******
>
>
>
> *Dirk Neumann*
>
> Collection Manager, Hamburg
>
>
>
> Postal address:
>
> *Museum of Nature Hamburg*
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>
> of Biodiversity Change
>
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>
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>
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>
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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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> NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of
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> society. See http://www.spnhc.org for membership information.
> Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate.
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