Museum

Question 1

The three elements of preservation:

Answer 1

• relaxation (anesthetization)
  
  • magnesium chloride
• fixation
  
  • formalin
• preservation
  
  • ethanol

Question 2

What to include in museum collection?

Answer 2

• date of collection
• location
  
  • habitat or substrate
• name of collector

Question 3

Formalin used for preservation:

Answer 3

• formalin needs to be avoided in preservation for DNA analysis
• use 95% ethyl or isopropyl alcohol or 20% DMSO with NaCl instead
• formalin is avoided because it can become acidic = readily dissolve or degrade samples (calcium carbonate)

Question 4

What is bioindication?

Answer 4

• use organisms living within natural communities to monitor the impact of disturbances
• use this in management of ecological system
• can be used at environmental, ecological and biodiversity level

Question 5

What are some examples of invertebrate water quality indicator species?

Answer 5

• highly sensitive to pollution
  
  • mayflies
  • stonefly
• somewhat tolerant of pollution
  
  • dragonfly
  • mussels
• pollution tolerant
  
  • blackflies
  • midgeflies