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So many algae, so little time. COLLECTIONS MANAGEMENT. Collections Management. Permits are required to collect marine organisms in Panama STRI is covered by a blanket marine collecting permit Land plant/subaerial algae requires different collecting permit
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So many algae, so little time. COLLECTIONS MANAGEMENT
Collections Management • Permits are required to collect marine organisms in Panama • STRI is covered by a blanket marine collecting permit • Land plant/subaerial algae requires different collecting permit • Exporting preserved or 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 Autoridad Nacional del Ambiente
Collections Management • Goals • To be able to recall collection information associated with each sample at a later date (months, years, decades from now) • Associate image data with specimens • Produce meaningful products that someone else can verify at any point in the future • (10 collection days) x (20 collectors) x (10 specimens) = 2000 specimens!
Collections Management • Record • GPS • When you arrive on site! • Unique identification number for each specimen using spreadsheet • PASI09.BW-0001 • Do use leading zeros so that your spreadsheet will sort properly • PASI09.BW-0001, PASI09.BW-0002... • Not PASI09.BW1, PASI09.BW10... • Use drag option in Excel to fill down ID number column • Fill in all corresponding fields • Complete metadata sheet for image data
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 Will • Obtain your images and associate them with your collections ASAP
Collections Management: Preservation • Preservation is always required for vouchering & later identification • Herbarium • Formalin • 4-5% Formaldehyde solution in seawater from collection site • Formalin is not allowed on airplanes • Leave specimens in Formalin for 24h • pour off excess into labeled waste container • transport wet specimens in nested bags, inside of sturdy container • Note: plan on formalin leaking...it always does
Collections Management: Preservation Data recorded in spreadsheet must be recorded on herbarium sheet. • Herbarium preparation corrugated cardboard felt blotter newsprint specimen newsprint felt blotter corrugated cardboard
Collections Management: PASI Goals • Contribute accurately identified specimens to BRS Reference Collection • Every species plate for field guide should have referenced specimens • Left over material can be mounted and prepared fro donation to UP • Contribute species records to BdT Biodiversity Database http://biogeodb.stri.si.edu/bocas_database/search/kingdom/2/ • 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
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
Collections Management: PASI 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
Collections Management: PASI 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
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
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) • Re-use collection baggies, organize conveniently • Waste bucket will be established in lab, ensure it is emptied at least once/day • Spills • Clean them up • Try to avoid electrical outlets
Collections Management: Field Photography • 4 cameras are available for in situ photography • Canon PowerShot 720 • Canon underwater housing (WP-DC16) rated to 130’ • Orientation to field Cameras will be given by Brian • Image data will be deleted from cards before going into field • Each user is responsible for downloading data, and deleting card memory before returning to camera
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 metadata spreadsheet • Linking specimen number to file name is useful
Delegations • Field Cameras • Lab Cameras • Water tables