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Processing and Storage
Post-Collection Processing: Material collected during each fieldtrip and sorted to morphospecies is sent to the AMNH as soon as possible after completion of the trip. Any remaining unsorted specimens are then sorted to morphospecies, the material is divided among the participating institutions, databased (if this was not done already), and labeled with printed, indelible labels documenting all provenance data. Labels indicate the future depositories of specimens. Original handwritten field labels, if present, are retained with the specimen-lot containing most of the specimens. Labeled material is then sent on to project participants for study in accordance with their taxonomic responsibilities. Project participants subsequently return material to the AMNH or forward it on to UNAM and CAS, depending on where it is destined to be permanently deposited, after completion of their work. Material intended for DNA isolation is transferred, initially, to the Molecular Systematics Laboratory at the AMNH for processing, before being transferred on to the Ambrose Monell Collection for Molecular and Microbial Research (http://research.amnh.org/amcc/database/) for permanent storage.
Long-term Storage and Archiving: All material collected, irrespective of origin (Mexico vs. USA) or taxon (vaejovids, non-vaejovids and non-scorpions), is divided 40%, 40%, 20% between the AMNH, UNAM, and the CAS, respectively. Division of the material is conducted strictly according to the numbers of adults (both sexes) and juveniles collected, such that each institution receives an equitable proportion of adult males, females and juveniles, contingent upon what was collected. Holotypes from the USA are deposited in the AMNH and holotypes from Mexico at UNAM. Pairs of paratypes (an adult male and female) are deposited at participating institutions contingent on availability. One adult male and female of each species is deposited in the WDS reference collection, contingent on the availability of material. All specimens from which DNA is to be isolated, irrespective of origin (Mexico vs. USA) or taxon (vaejovids, non-vaejovids and non-scorpions), are deposited for permanent storage stored in liquid nitrogen (-150°C) in the Ambrose Monell Collection for Molecular and Microbial Research (http://research.amnh.org/amcc/database/) at the AMNH, where many scorpion tissue samples already reside. Ultimately, these samples may form the kernel of an international effort to store and disseminate the genomes of all described scorpion species. Duplicate tissue samples for DNA isolation may be deposited in the CAS on completion of major publications from the grant and contingent on the CAS being prepared to receive them. All singletons, irrespective of origin (Mexico vs. USA) or taxon (vaejovids, non-vaejovids and non-scorpions), are deposited at the AMNH for DNA isolation, unless it is considered unnecessary to obtain DNA from them (e.g. when the species has been sampled from several localities). All singletons not destined for DNA analysis, irrespective of origin (Mexico vs. USA) or taxon (vaejovids, non-vaejovids and non-scorpions), are deposited at the AMNH unless permit regulations dictate otherwise (e.g. holotypes of new species from Mexico). |
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