Difference between revisions of "Invertebrate Zoology Collection Curation"
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===Cataloging=== | ===Cataloging=== | ||
| + | SPNHC best practices for [[Numbering_Natural_History_Collections]] provides general guidance. The following particularly apply to invertebrate collections. | ||
#Provide a unique ID for each specimen or lot. | #Provide a unique ID for each specimen or lot. | ||
#Tag tissue and individuals with the unique ID and ensure that tags stay with individuals: place tags in vial or jar with specimen(s). | #Tag tissue and individuals with the unique ID and ensure that tags stay with individuals: place tags in vial or jar with specimen(s). | ||
| Line 34: | Line 35: | ||
===Collection organization=== | ===Collection organization=== | ||
*Needs info | *Needs info | ||
| − | ==Storage in collection | + | ==Storage in collection== |
| − | + | ===Preservation types=== | |
| + | Invertebrate collections may include "wet" preserved specimens (see [[Fluid_Collections]]), specimens on microscope slides, and dry collections. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Specimens may be preserved at room temperature or in freezers. Often -20C and -80C freezers are used depending on the purpose of the material. | ||
===Sensitive and rare specimen handling/preserving=== | ===Sensitive and rare specimen handling/preserving=== | ||
| Line 43: | Line 47: | ||
**Other special specimens | **Other special specimens | ||
| − | ===Clear glass, screw-top jars=== | + | ===Fluid preserved invertebrate handling and storage=== |
| − | + | Size of lot of specimen will determine the vessel size and type. Intended storage space may also influence container selection. | |
| − | ====Types of glass==== | + | ====Clear glass, screw-top jars==== |
| + | =====Types of glass===== | ||
*Borosilicate (preferred, but expensive). | *Borosilicate (preferred, but expensive). | ||
*Flint glass is readily available and a very good option. | *Flint glass is readily available and a very good option. | ||
Latest revision as of 19:36, 29 May 2023
Contents
Statement of Purpose
These links and documents contain information about best practices for Invertebrate Zoology collection curation.
Introduction
Contributors
Restoration/renovation
Rehydration
- Needs info
- Evaluate value of rehydrating vs keeping dry
Deaccessioning
- decisionmaking matrix
Labels and systems for printing
- Pre-printed labels with blanks for required information are best so collectors in the field know what is expected. Can be on ‘rite in the rain’ paper, linen resistal paper, other paper that does not degrade in ethanol, isopropanol, or formalin solutions.
- Use pencil or indelible ink. No sharpies!
- Collector spreadsheets offer a way to index and enhance related information aside from what is on a label with the specimen that allows for easy database entry and label printing.
- Archival (long term): thermal impact printer labels (Datamax printers, polyester labeling media, special SDR ribbon for alcohol solutions). Alpha Systems is one vendor.
Identification and sorting of collected material
- Keep accession and field numbers with specimens
Accessioning
See Permitting, Accession_of_Specimens, and collection transactions
Georeferencing
See georeferencing
Cataloging
SPNHC best practices for Numbering_Natural_History_Collections provides general guidance. The following particularly apply to invertebrate collections.
- Provide a unique ID for each specimen or lot.
- Tag tissue and individuals with the unique ID and ensure that tags stay with individuals: place tags in vial or jar with specimen(s).
Collection organization
- Needs info
Storage in collection
Preservation types
Invertebrate collections may include "wet" preserved specimens (see Fluid_Collections), specimens on microscope slides, and dry collections.
Specimens may be preserved at room temperature or in freezers. Often -20C and -80C freezers are used depending on the purpose of the material.
Sensitive and rare specimen handling/preserving
- Types:
- Mark jars
- Store separately
- Other special specimens
Fluid preserved invertebrate handling and storage
Size of lot of specimen will determine the vessel size and type. Intended storage space may also influence container selection.
Clear glass, screw-top jars
Types of glass
- Borosilicate (preferred, but expensive).
- Flint glass is readily available and a very good option.
Lids: The ideal lid for these jars is polypropylene with an F217 tri-seal foam liner, a knurled (ribbed) edge, and a buff (rough) top.
Potential vendors:
- Kols/Oberk,
- Duval
- William R. Hill, Co. (http://www.wmrhill.com)
- General Bottle (http://www.bottlesetc.com)
- Continental Glass
- Wheaton
- Fisher
- VWR
Standard Sizes (check with fire marshal for allowable sizes)
Plastic Containers
(polypropylene lid with F217 tri-seal foam liner (as above for glass) PET (polyethylene terephthalate) HDPE (high density polyethylene) Vendors: University Products: 1-22 quarts
Vials Containing Whole Specimens
Stored within larger, fluid filled jars.
- All vials are stoppered with cotton or synthetic polyethylene stuffing (no phenolic black plastic). *Vials are stored cotton end down in case of evaporation (be sure to pack cotton well, or specimens will fall out!).
- Vial labels are a smaller version of a standard jar label.
- One small label has catalog number, ID, abbreviated locality.
- A large cover label goes into the large jar with a header that has the species name then a list of the catalog numbers and abbreviated locality.
Stainless steel tanks
Vendors:
- Delta designs
- Stainless Steel Manufacturing
- J.W. Appley
