Natural history collection of the National Museum and Art Gallery of Trinidad and Tobago (NMAGTT)

Study Extent

Sampling

Quality Control

Method steps

1. Laboratory work: Fluid specimens were either desiccated or poorly preserved so each specimen was dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Most of the specimens were thought to be preserved in formalin but there were no object records to confirm this. Those with remaining fluid were re-fixed in formalin and stepped up in alcohol. Careful consideration was given to whether desiccated specimens were worth rehydrating. Some were left as dried specimens while others were revived through a simple rehydration technique using the detergent Contrad 70. The general process for this was as follows: 1. The specimen was placed in a heat-resistant container and completely covered with rehydrating fluid. 2. The container was covered and warmed to about 30-40°C on a hot plate. 3. The specimen was occasionally agitated to release gas bubbles. 4. When the specimen appeared to be rehydrated i.e. seen by the gradual re-expansion of cytoplasm and cell membranes, it was removed from the fluid and immersed in de-ionized water. 5. The specimen was rinsed in de-ionized water to remove any excess rehydrating fluid 6. Depending on the state of the specimen at this stage, they were either re-fixed or stepped up in alcohol. Digitising work: 1. Specimens in the collection were assessed for existing data (labels in jars, details in registers, etc.) 2. Identifications were confirmed or made using a variety of literature sources (scientific papers, books, online resources) 3. Specimens were photographed and properly stored 4. The data (information and photographs) were uploaded to the UWIZM Past Perfect database

1. Actinopterygii
   rank: class
2. Amphibia
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3. Aves
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4. Elasmobranchii
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5. Mammalia
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6. Reptilia
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7. Bivalvia
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8. Cephalopoda
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9. Gastropoda
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