Invertebrate Zoology Collection Curation

Statement of Purpose

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

Contributors

Alana Rivera

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! 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

See Permitting, Accession_of_Specimens, and collection transactions

Georeferencing

See georeferencing

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.

Collection organization

• Needs info

Storage in collection (containers)

• Needs info

Sensitive and rare specimen handling/preserving

• Types:
  • Mark jars
  • Store separately
  • Other special specimens

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