WAM-TS Preservation and Lodgement of Terrestrial Invertebrate Specimens
Preservation and Lodgement of
Terrestrial Invertebrate Specimens
Version 10 (January 2013)
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 arachnids (e.g. pseudoscorpions, schizomids) and molluscs (e.g. micro-snails)
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) and molluscs (eg. large
land snails) should be preserved as follows:
Tissue Extraction
Arachnids:
 Remove third left leg at point of specimen death using clean, small scissors (wash the
scissors in water, and dry with clean paper towel between each specimen).
 Place leg in 100% ethanol in 2 ml Cryotube
Myriapods
 Please remove several legs from one side of the body for storage in 100% ethanol
and the rest of the body in 75% ethanol. Please do not sub-sample segments.
Millipedes have cyanide glands that can destroy tissue samples when segments are
included in tissue samples for DNA anaysis.
Molluscs:
 If possible, whilst crawling, take a small (min. 5x5mm) piece of tissue from rear of
foot using clean, small scissors or blade (wash the scissors in water, and dry with
clean paper towel between each specimen). Humidity may help get snails crawling.
 Place piece of foot in 100% ethanol in 2 ml Cryotube
 If possible, now narcotise living snail to aid anatomical work
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WAM-TS Preservation and Lodgement of Terrestrial Invertebrate Specimens
Whole Specimen Preservation (Arthropods; Myriapods; Molluscs)
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Preserve remainder of specimen in tube or jar (see below) in 75% ethanol (for initial
preservation we recommend the ratio of about 20 x fixative to tissue. Larger
specimens may be injected with ethanol to facilitate preservation. Later the
specimens can be transferred to smaller vials).
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Include Cryotube in same jar as specimen or closely associated with the original
specimen (eg. attached by rubber band) with a label including the unique identifier
code so that they can be easily related back to the original.
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Each container (including Cryotube) 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!
 Smaller specimens (75% ethanol) should be stored in SAMCO “Specimen Tubes Soda
Glass Poly Stopper” vials with push-in type caps, size ca. 50x12mm (please don’t use
smaller glass vials than this size).
 Other vial sizes of SAMCO vials are available for larger sized animals (see above
suppliers).
 Larger specimens should be in small glass jars.
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: wa@silverlock.com.au
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).
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WAM-TS Preservation and Lodgement of Terrestrial Invertebrate 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: wa@silverlock.com.au
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: wasales@cospak.com.au
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:
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Arial 4.5 font
Locality information should include: 1) the state (e.g. “WA:”); 2) a reference to
place listed on the Australian gazetteer (http://www.ga.gov.au/map/names/).
Please do not use your internal project locality. We use the information on the
label to database specimens and it should be informative for future locality searches
independent of your project.
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WAM-TS Preservation and Lodgement of Terrestrial Invertebrate Specimens
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Use Latitudes and Longitudes (DD°MM’SS”) NOT UTMs or decimal degrees.
Seconds can be up to two digits after the comma. Specify the datum (e.g. WGS84,
GDA94)
Dates with month spelled out (abbreviated eg. Jan.), not as a numeral and year in
full (2008, Not: ’08)
Collector data could also include your unique coded identifier (also possible on
different label)
Collecting method
Habitat (brief habitat description, perhaps written on a separate label) eg. in rubble
at base of scree slope; in litter beneath boulders under fig tree; 5cm below surface of
deep red sandy soil, etc.
Collector’s unique identifier code
Do not include an identification on the locality label, as this identification
might have to be corrected.
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!
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WAM-TS Preservation and Lodgement of Terrestrial Invertebrate Specimens
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
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Specimens should be delivered to the Western Australian Museum after filling out the
on-line submission form on the Western Australian Museum website:
http://www.museum.wa.gov.au/consultation/submissions.
When attaching electronic data for the specimens, please make sure they are
formatted as requested in the WAM database template that is also available on
the WAM-TS submission website (fill out yellow columns only following appropriate
field character number restrictions) for ease of transfer of data to our database.
You will be sent a project-specific chain of custody receipt once the submission
has been checked.
Please print the chain of custody receipt in triplicate for signing upon delivery of
the specimens
Contacts:
Postal Address: Locked Bag 49 Kew Street Welshpool WA 6986
Street Address: 49 Kew Street Welshpool WA 6106 (cnr Orrong Rd & Leach Hwy)
Amber Beavis: amber.beavis@muesum.wa.gov.au (Research Scientist: arachnids & myriapods)
Andrew Hosie: andrew.hosie@muesum.wa.gov.au (Curator: Crustacea (& worms))
Corey Whisson: corey.whisson@muesum.wa.gov.au (Techinical Officer: land snails)
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WAM-TS Preservation and Lodgement of Terrestrial Invertebrate Specimens
Checklist:
Storage and labelling:
 Specimens in appropriate vials
 If specimen or part of arachnology specimen in 100% ethanol: 2 ml Cryotube used
 All labels on Tablex Board
 All labels fixed by cooking 20-30min at 100°C
 Label with unique coded identifier
 Label: “75%EtOH” or “100%EtOH”
 Locality label in 4.5 font Arial
 Locality label: locality with gazetteered reference
 Locality label: coordinates in DD°MM’SS.SS”S DD°MM’SS.SS”E (not UTM or
decimal degrees) and with datum (WGS84 or GDA94)
 Locality label: date with month spelled out (abbreviated), not in numerical, and
full year (e.g. 16 Oct. 2008)
 Locality label: collecting method (e.g. by hand, pitfall trap, troglofauna trap 20m,
etc.)
 Label: habitat (e.g. Leaf litter in eucalypt woodland)
 Label size: max. 35mm x 10mm.
 Multiple locality labels if more than one species suspected for vial.
Delivery:
 Before delivery fill out online submission form at:
http://www.museum.wa.gov.au/consultation/submissions
 Print chain of custody forms in triplicate and bring with specimens to the museum
 Upon arrival at the museum – sign off on chain of custody documents