Logistics
• Sign up for Informal Evening
Seminar
• Sign up for diving with local dive
shop on:
– Monday, 14 July
– $45
• two dives @ sites we recommend
• Includes gear (indicate what you need)
Collections Management
So many algae, so little time.
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Collections Management
• Permits are required to collect marine organisms in
Panama
– STRI is covered by a marine collecting permit
– Exporting dead/live specimens requires separate permits.
• Requirement of permitting is to provide duplicate specimen for
deposition at University of Panama
– Co-ordinate sample export with course instructor if
necessary
• Don’t over-collect, you’ll only waste time throwing out
rotten, smelly seaweed
• Collect sufficient material to preserve appropriately
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Collections Management
• Goal
– To be able to recall collection information
associated with each sample at a later date
(months, years, decades from now)
– (14 collection days) x (16 collectors) x (10 specimens) = 2240 specimens!
• Record unique identification number for each
specimen using class spreadsheet
– iMac: TFP Workshop Folder:
TFP_08_Specimens.xls
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Collections Management: Identification
• Identification may require multiple strategies
– Morphological examination of fresh material is
best
• Photomicrography is available in lab
• Image data will be transferred to iMac from 17:00-17:30
everyday by Jessie & Liz
– Folders: S1, C1 (door bench) S2, C2 (window bench)
– Preservation is always required for vouchering
• Herbarium
• Formalin
– 4-5% Formaldehyde solution in seawater from collection
site
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Collections Management: Preservation
• Herbarium preparation
corrugated cardboard
felt blotter
newsprint
specimen
newsprint
felt blotter
corrugated cardboard
Data recorded in spreadsheet must
be recorded on herbarium sheet.
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Collections Management: TFP Goals
1. Contribute accurately identified specimens
to BRS Reference Collection (and UP)
2. Contribute species records to BdT
Biodiversity Database
http://biogeodb.stri.si.edu/bocas_database/search/kingdom/2/
3. Document the morphology of select species
as part of a series of photographic plates
Addressing these goals will promote your
understanding of tropical algal diversity
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Collections Management: Identification
• Identification may require multiple strategies
– Molecular Work (DNA Sequencing/Barcoding)
• Extraction of fresh material is best
• Integrity of DNA is preserved by rapid drying
– Non-formalin fixed herbarium specimens can be used
– Silica gel promotes rapid drying
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Collections Management: TFP Goals
• Contribute specimens and morphological
observations to class DNA Barcoding Project
• Hypotheses:
– H0: Species richness of taxon x as determined by
morphological examination is the same as
determined by molecular examination (sequencing
of coxI mitochondrion gene)
– Ha1: DNA barcoding of taxon x reveals cryptic
(hidden) diversity
• Morphologically identical specimens are genetically
distinct
– Ha2: Morphological variability within taxon x
conceals genetic similarity
• Morphologically variable specimens are genetically
identical
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Collections Management: TFP Goals
• Means of tracking information is absolutely essential
to reconcile
– Specimen records with field/lab image data
– Specimen records (i.e., morphology, ecological/geographic
distribution) with molecular data
• Ensure that your specimen records are updated daily
in the Excel spreadsheet
– Do not put specimens in press without logging or labeling
– There may be bottle-necking at spreadsheet
• Claim number by entering collection information even if identity
is uncertain, update later
• Use safe copy & pasting to facilitate data entry
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Laboratory Maintenance
• Microscopes
– Always clean up seawater spills on microscopes
immediately
– Wipe down slide platform (compound scope) or glass base
(stereo scope) daily
– Replace dust cover
– Conserve slides/cover slips as best as possible
• Slide drying on your own table, not in common space next to
sink
• Broken/used slides/cover slips in glass waste
• Lab tables
– Keep workspace clean
– Return literature to literature table when not in use
• Use fans overnight to facilitate herbarium drying
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Laboratory Maintenance
• Sea Water Tables
– Keep your specimens in labeled containers/bags
• May be hard to keep track of free-floating specimens
– Change water in baggies at least daily
– Don’t hold specimens for more than 1-2 days,
maximum
– Get rid of old specimens (not in trash)
• Waste bucket will be established in lab,
ensure it is emptied at least once/day
• Spills
– Clean them up
– Try to avoid electrical outlets
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Collections Management: Field Photography
• 3 cameras are available for in
situ photography
– Canon PowerShot 720
– Canon underwater housing (WPDC16) rated to 130’
• Cameras will be prepared for
field use by Jessie & Liz
• Return cameras to Jessie &
Liz in the field
• Image data will be
downloaded by Jessie & Liz
QuickTime™ and a
TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and a
TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
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Collections Management: Field Photography
• Work in pairs to photo-document
selected specimens
– Photograph # on numbered collection
bag (to segregate image data by
specimen)
– Photograph specimen (multiple images)
– Place photographed specimen into
numbered bag
– 1 specimen/bag
– Ultimately, you will need to generate
image file name and link it to specimen
number in MS Excel spreadsheet
QuickTime™ and a
TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and a
TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
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