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

[Dirk Neumann]

.... but this would still be a alcohol-water-based solution. Maybe I my assumptions are wrong, but 'peeling' would either require shrinkage or swelling of the body mass to peel-off the outer cuticula layer (which I suppose is what was happening here). Maybe it was a swelling of the cuticula itself, but usually the glycoproteins of the cuticle are known for its rigidity and protection, which would speak against the cuticle absorbing water and starting to swell.

Personally, I would not be surprised if osmotic pressure shift was the cause of what Nate observed in the 'peeling', thus the transfer into a different fluid should happen very slowly and gradually. It might be worth trying to drip the proposed new holding fluid very gradually (few drips or millilitres per day, spread over several hours and in dependence of the total volume of the current storage container) to allow a very slow transition.

Two more cents that might be useful
Dirk



Am 25.03.2026 um 22:38 schrieb 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<mailto: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
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Dirk Neumann
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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
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