Herpetology Collection Curation

Statement of Purpose

These links and documents contain information about best practices for Herpetology collection curation.

Contributors

Content generated during The American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (ASIH) Annual Joint Meeting - 2016, during an iDigBio sponsored workshop by the following individuals participating in the "Curation" working group of the aforementioned workshop:

• Sarah Huber - Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Ichthyology Collection Manager
• Justin Mann - Tulane University Biodiversity Research Institute, Ichthyology Collection Manager
• Katherine Pearson-Maslenikov - Burke Museum of Natural History, Ichthyology Collections Manager
• Susan Mochel - The Field Museum of Natural History, Assistant Collections Manager - Fishes
• Rob Robins - The Florida Museum of Natural History, Ichthyology Collection Manager
• Gregory Watkins-Colwell - Yale Peabody Museum, Herpetology/Ichthyology Collection Manager
• Kevin Swagel - The Field Museum of Natural History, Assistant Collections Manager - Fishes
• H.J. Walker - Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Ichthyology Collection Manager (Retired)

Restoration/renovation

Rehydration

Several methods discussed in Simmons book Herpetological Collecting and Collections Management: https://www.amazon.com/Herpetological-Collecting-Collections-Management-Simmons/dp/0916984605

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! See field collecting subcommittee for data fields.
• 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

Required paperwork: permits, international declarations (e.g. USFWS form 3-177) if appropriate, copies of field notes, collections notes; documentation demonstrating legal acquisition and ownership of specimens (Deed of Gift form), any copyright transfers that may relate to photographs, etc.

Cataloging

Matching subsamples with whole specimen in lots with >1 individual: Give sub-sampled individuals a unique catalog number (lot is now n=1) and cross-reference old catalog number and new catalog number. Alternatively, tag individual with its own identifier, such as catalog number XXXXX 1 of 6. Tag tissue and individuals with same identifier and ensure that tags stay with individuals: place or tie tag in gills, mouth, body cavity, or wrap individually in cheese cloth.

Georeferencing (see Digitization)

Collection organization

• Taxonomic: By family, then alphabetical by genus and species

Recommendation: Most recent edition of taxonomic hierarchy published

Examples of institutional organisation by taxonomic authority:

Institution	Taxonomic Authority
ANSP
The Burke Museum
The Field Museum
The Florida Museum
Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology
Smithsonian

• Alphabetical: By genus and species
• Geographic
• Temporal (e.g., by collecting event)
• Catalog number

Storage in collection (containers)

Sensitive and rare specimen handling/preserving

• Types:
  • Mark jars (with ribbon around neck or write on lids).
  • Store separately (under lock and key).
• Other special specimens: Use ribbons, wires, etc. around jars to indicate.

Clear glass, screw-top jars

Type of glass: Borosilicate (preferred, but expensive). Flint glass is readily available and a very good option. 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. (www.wmrhill.com)
• General Bottle (www.bottlesetc.com)
• Continental Glass
• Wheaton
• Fisher
• VWR

Standard Sizes (check with fire marshal for allowable sizes)

Size	Type	Necks	Vendor Notes
5-gallon	wide mouth	132-400	Discontinued jars and lids
3-gallon	wide mouth	132-400	Discontinued jars and lids
2.5-gallon	“pickle” barrel	120-400	Anchor-Hocking vendor
1-gallon	narrow mouth	110-400
1-gallon	wide mouth	120-400	Discontinued jars and lids
half gallon	tall	83-400
half gallon	short	110-400
32 oz.	paragon	89-400
32 oz.	narrow mouth	70-400	Discontinued jars
32 oz.	mayo	63-400
24 oz.	"pickle" jar	63-400
24 oz.	mayo	63-400
16 oz.	paragon	70-400
16 oz.	paragon	63-400
16 oz.	mayo	63-400
16 oz.	short	89-400
12 oz.	mayo
8 oz.	wide mouth	58-400
8 oz.	wide mouth	58-400
8 oz.	paragon	58-400
8 oz.	mayo
9 oz.	short	70-400
6 oz.	paragon	53-400
6 oz.	mayo
4 oz.	paragon	48-400
4 oz.	short	58-400
3 oz.	mayo
2 oz.	paragon	38-400
2 oz.	short	48-400
1 oz.	wide mouth	43-400

Bold = commonly used by most large fish collections in North America.

Glass Gasket jars

• Le Parfait jars – unique sizes, wide mouth (0.5L, 1.5L, 2L, 3L). Buno white, rubber gasket.
• Bail-top jars - not recommended for new collections. If you are already using them, you need to check gaskets for cracking and replace.

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 fish will fall out!). Vial labels are a smaller version of a standard adult label. One small label has catalog number, ID, abbreviated locality (often only a field number to save space) and identifier’s name or initials. 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