7 WAMTS PRESERVATION AND LODGEMENT OF TERRESTRIAL INVERTEBRATE SPECIMENS

7 WAMTS PRESERVATION AND LODGEMENT OF TERRESTRIAL INVERTEBRATE SPECIMENS






Western Australian Museum

7


WAM-TS Preservation and Lodgement of Terrestrial Invertebrate Specimens

7 WAMTS PRESERVATION AND LODGEMENT OF TERRESTRIAL INVERTEBRATE SPECIMENS 7 WAMTS PRESERVATION AND LODGEMENT OF TERRESTRIAL INVERTEBRATE SPECIMENS


Preservation and Lodgement of

Terrestrial Invertebrate Specimens


Version 7 (May 2012)



Preservation

All specimens are to be fixed in ethanol as rapidly as possible after collection.


Each container should contain a unique coded identifier that we can quote when supplying identifications.


Small specimens (e.g. pseudoscorpions, schizomids) preferably to be fixed in 100% ethanol. Otherwise 75% ethanol is fine. Tissue samples preserved for DNA analysis are increasingly useful. As such, any specimens collected into 100% ethanol should be stored in 2 ml Cryotubes with screw cap (Cryo.s™ Greiner Bio-One, internal thread, round bottom, Article 121279 available from Interpath Service Pty Ltd, Melbourne) for deposit into the tissue collection. If specimens are very small and put into glass microvials please plug them with a small ball of cotton wool, not Styrofoam. Styrofoam plugs don’t always plug properly and they fall apart easily when removed for checking the samples.


Larger arthropod specimens (e.g. scorpions, trap-door spiders) should be preserved as follows:



Each container should contain a small printed label specifying the concentration of the ethanol (e.g. “100% ETOH” or “75% ETOH”).



Storage


Arachnids, Myriapods, Crustaceans, and worms


Specimens not for the tissue collection should be stored in suitable glass containers. Plastic vials are not suitable. We have tested SAMCO glass vials (available e.g. at Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. 1300 735 292, follow the prompts to Sales and order over the phone; or the Australian Entomological Supplies http://www.entosupplies.com.au/?path=1_1_14_144) in respect to the detioration of the plastic lids. Other makes should not be used!

Keep specimens in cool place, ideally in a refrigerator.



Molluscs


Plastic Vials


Silverlock Packaging

28 Catalano Road, Canningvale WA 6155

Ph: (08) 9455 1366; Fax: (08) 9455 1835; Email: [email protected]

6 dram vials item code VP1040 CL1

12 dram vials Item code VP1070 CL11


Gelatine Capsules


Fragile &/or very small and dry dead-taken specimens, should be enclosed in gelatine capsules inside 6 or 12 dram vials.


The gelatine capsule sizes recommended range between #000 and #013 (depending on the size of specimens).

Contact and item details are:


PCCA

Unit 1, 73 Beauchamp Road, Matraville, NSW 2036

Ph: (02) 9316 1500 or 1300 722 269; Fax:

Capsule #000 – Clear Locking (Gelatin); Part 30-1931-1000 EA

Capsule #013 – Clear (1/8 OZ) 1 ¼” x ½” (Gelatin); Part 30-2265-100 EA


Glassware


Glassware for preserved specimens (such as freshwater or micro-molluscs) should be either 30mL, 150mL or 250mL jars, as these are reliable products for long-term storage.

Choose appropriate size of jar so that animal(s) occupy no more than 1/3 of jar volume (recommended volume ratio of body tissue to alcohol is 1:10). A jar should be full of alcohol to minimise evaporation. Lids should have plastic inserts to prevent leakage (please check). For fragile or very small preserved specimens use smaller glass vial (with lid or cotton wool plug) inside jar filled with alcohol. Keep specimens in cool place, ideally in a refrigerator.


Contact and item details are:


Silverlock Packaging

28 Catalano Road, Canningvale WA 6155

Ph: (08) 9455 1366; Fax: (08) 9455 1835; Email: [email protected]


30mL Clear Screw Jars: Item Code: JG0020 FL10

30mL Jar Lids White (includes insert): Item Code: CP3020 W1

250mL Clear Screw Jars: Item Code: JG2342 FL1

250mL Jar Lids White (excludes insert): Item Code: CP5000 W21

250mL Jar Lid Inserts: Item Code: CP5150 23


Cospak Pty Ltd

52 McDowell Street, Welshpool WA 6106

Ph: (08) 9258 2400; Fax: (08) 9350 6699; Email: [email protected]


150mL Clear Screw Jars: Product Code H1135

150mL Jar Lids White (includes insert): Product Code H5331



Labels


Each vial should contain a small, neatly trimmed printed label (max. size ca. 30mm x 10mm) with the following specifications:



Examples:


W.A.: Mesa Y-09, ca. 64 km SSW. Pannawonica

25°18’23”S 117°51’03”E (WGS 84)

14 Dec. 2007-5 Jan. 2008

J.A. Brown, T.R. Smith (PS20120201.SFJSRE03-01)

Troglofauna trap, 10 metres


W.A.: Pilbara, Hamersley Range, gully 50 metres

Upstream of Dale’s Gorge

22°18’23”S 118°51’03”E (WGS 84)

14 Mar. 2011; R.T. Green, A.J. Jones (site G127)

Hand collected, Acacia woodland


Litter beneath boulders under fig tree

PSE11:1234


In its final size the main label looks as follows (it should not exceed 35mm width and five lines height (ca. 10mm)):


W.A.: Mesa Y-09, ca. 64 km SSW. Pannawonica

25°18’23”S 117°51’03”E (WGS 84)

14 Dec. 2007-5 Jan. 2008

J.A. Brown, T.R. Smith (PS20120201.SFJSRE03-01)

Troglofauna trap, 10 metres



If the vial is suspected of containing multiple species, ensure that sufficient labels are included so that when we transfer specimens to new vials, we have enough labels.


Labels should be printed on uncoated, acid-free “Tablex System Board, 250 GSM” cut to A4 sheets (210 x 297mm). Regular cardboard or paper (e.g. as available at OfficeWorks) is not suitable for long-term storage in ethanol. Supplies of the tablex card are available from Spicers: 339 Collier Road Bassendean WA 6054, Ph (08) 9376 9150.


The labels should be printed on a laser printer and baked in an oven @100°C for 20-30 minutes to fix the printing onto the card. Final fixation is achieved when the initially matt printing becomes glossy. Don’t burn the paper, it should stay white!



Electronic Data


Electronic data must be provided during the process of logging a job through WAM-TS. Please fill in the yellow columns of the database templates associated with these guidelines. If data is not provided your specimens may get rejected.



Delivery



Contacts:

Postal Address: Locked Bag 49 Kew Street Welshpool WA 6986

Street Address: 49 Kew Street Welshpool WA 6106 (cnr Orrong Rd & Leach Hwy)


Mieke Burger: [email protected] (Research Officer: arachnids & myriapods)

Andrew Hosie: [email protected] (Curator: Crustacea (& worms))


Corey Whisson: [email protected] (Techinical Officer: land snails)

Checklist:



Storage and labelling:




Delivery:






Tags: invertebrate specimens, terrestrial invertebrate, invertebrate, terrestrial, wamts, preservation, lodgement, specimens