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This Bulletin Board is to allow Nicrophorus workers the ability to post questions, comments, etc. To do so simply email your posting to Derek Sikes (dss95002@uconnvm.uconn.edu).
Burial behavior observations wanted posted 1 September 1999 I am summarizing information on the burial behaviors of Nicrophorus-with specific attention to variation. I would greatly appreciate anecdotal information on any species that you have observed: Dragging a carcass (how far? how large?) Please send any and all anecdotes/observations to me directly. I would of course like to know the species and location. My goal is to have observations for all Nicrophorus species. Thanks! Rosemary Smith reply to: Rosemary Smith email: smitrose@isu.edu
I am currently co-editing a book for CRC Press on Forensic Entomology. I am looking for specimens of silphid and staphylinid beetles, especially the immature stages. I would prefer to obtain some living specimens, but can also use preserved alcohol specimens if necessary for photographic purposes. The species for which I need specimens are as follows: Heterosilpha ramosa--larva, pupa
If you have any preserved specimens of these species in the life stage listed above that you could loan for about a week, it would be appreciated. I am also interested in any live specimens that you may be rearing. Suggestions of other people currently working on these species that I might be able to contact would also be appreciated. reply to: Dr. James L. Castner e-mail: jlcastner@aol.com
Nicrophorus
Larvae and DNA vouchers needed. If you can collect local Nicrophorus species and/or are travelling and can collect foreign species please email Derek Sikes regarding details and possibility of receiving payment for your efforts. To best preserve Nicrophorus for DNA extraction kill living adults quickly (either by dropping in VERY cold 95-100% ethanol, or room temperature 95-100% ethanol). Once killed the beetles should be stored in the ethanol inside a freezer-if possible (the colder the better). Within a few days of putting the beetles in ethanol the ethanol should be replaced with fresh ethanol (a lot of water leaches from the beetle's bodies and dilutes the ethanol which can risk DNA degradation- thus fewer beetles per vial of ethanol is better). Of course, include carefuly written labels with the beetles detailing the location they were collected, the date, the method (& caught alive or dead), and the name of the collector(s). The beetles can be mailed within the vials of ethanol. To preserve larvae: drop them into just boiling water and let sit for 5 minutes, then move the larvae into vials with 70-80% ethanol, with labels. To help ensure identifications include an adult (preferably a parent) inside the vial of larvae. reply to: Derek Sikes
Home | Taxonomic Catalog | Material Examined | Key to Species | Literature Database | Worker Directory | Bulletin Board | Photo Gallery | Site Map | Links | Read Guest Book | Sign Guest Book first posted: 11 March 1999; last modified: 9 February 2000 page design & database solution by: Derek Sikes questions? comments? problems? email: Derek Sikes: dss95002@uconn.edu copyright © 2000 Derek Sikes & Stephen Trumbo |