Archival Storage Containers for Large Fishes and Reptiles at the Florida Museum of Natural History

佛罗里达大学自然历史博物馆（FLMNH）拥有北美最大的鱼类（250万标本）和两栖动物和爬行动物（21万标本）收藏。科学家和教育工作者大量使用这些标本。特别令人感兴趣的是许多大型标本，这些标本在收藏中很罕见，大大增加了UF收藏的价值。尽管佛罗里达大学（UF）继续支持博物馆的收藏，最近还专门对空间进行了重大扩建，但最大的标本存储不当的严重问题仍然存在。这些标本储存在ArcaSystems的储罐和大塑料桶中。一些储罐和桶已经出现裂缝，一些已经泄漏，暴露了样本，并使酒精扩散到大面积，造成不愉快，有时甚至是危险的情况。随着储罐的老化，越来越多的储罐出现裂缝，对一些最有价值的标本的完整性构成严重威胁。来自美国国家科学基金会的资金将允许UF通过用档案不锈钢储罐取代不足的容器来改善大型标本的存储。不锈钢水箱几乎坚不可摧，防漏。在将标本转移到新的储罐时，将更新标签和数据库记录。这些活动将保证有价值的标本的长期保存，并在未来最大限度地发挥它们对科学家和教育工作者的作用。FLMNH服务于广泛的客户，包括研究人员和各种学者，学生和资源管理人员。该项目将允许UF继续为依赖生物多样性知识的研究人员、教育工作者和决策者提供全面的信息。这些藏品是佛罗里达大学本科和研究生教育的重要组成部分，被用于从公共展览、研讨会、参观到大学课程的教育项目中。FLMNH的鱼类学资料可在http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Collection/collection.htm上找到。

The University of Florida's Museum of Natural History (FLMNH) has among the largest collections of fishes (2,500,000 specimens) and amphibians and reptiles (210,000 specimens) in North America. Specimens from these collections are heavily used by scientists and educators. Of particular interest are the many large specimens that are rare in collections and add greatly to the value of the UF collections. Although the University of Florida (UF) continues to support the museum's collections and recently has dedicated and improved major expansions of space, the serious problem of improper storage for the largest specimens remains. These specimens are stored in ArcaSystems tanks and large plastic barrels. Several tanks and barrels have developed cracks and a few have leaked, exposing specimens and spreading alcohol over large areas, causing unpleasant and at times hazardous conditions. As the tanks age, more are developing cracks and becoming a serious threat to the integrity of some of the most valuable specimens. Funding from NSF will allow UF to provide improved storage for large specimens by replacing inadequate containers with archival stainless steel tanks. Stainless steel tanks are nearly indestructible and leak-proof. In transferring specimens to new tanks, labels and database records will be updated. These activities will guarantee the long-term preservation of valuable specimens and maximize their utility to scientists and educators well into the future. FLMNH serves a broad clientele, including researchers and a diversity of scholars, students, and resource managers. This project will allow UF to continue to make comprehensive information accessible to researchers, educators, and decision-makers who depend on knowledge of biological diversity. The collections are important components of undergraduate and graduate education at UF and are used in educational programs ranging from public exhibits, workshops, and tours to university courses. The FLMNH ichthyology collection can be found at http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Collection/collection.htm.