[Nhcoll-l] Transferring a worm to new fixative

[William Poly]

Hi Nate,

AFA (alcohol, formalin, acetic acid) is another possible solution as it is
used for worms, and the combination of odors could make it difficult to
identify by smell.

Bill


On Wed, Mar 25, 2026 at 12:57 PM Shoobs, Nate <shoobs.1 at osu.edu> wrote:

> 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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