DESTRUCTIVE SAMPLING OF SPECIMENS FROM THE FLORIDA MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY, MCGUIRE CENTER FOR LEPIDOPTERA AND BIODIVERSITY

The McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity collection of the Florida Museum of Natural History recognizes the needs of the research community to use specimens in our care. In light of new technology, we must balance the future availability of this valuable biological material with potential yield of information that benefits research and is in the public interest. Therefore, we have established specific guidelines for destructive sampling of museum study specimens that is largely consistent with other ranges at the FLMNH and those of other national museums. This is in addition to our general loan policy for removal of specimens from the McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity at the Florida Museum of Natural History.

Destructive sampling, as defined here, refers to either full-body destructive sampling or partial body destructive sampling. Full-body destructive sampling refers to destructive sampling, such as creating a DNA extraction from an entire specimen or a full-body dissection for anatomical purposes. Partial body destructive sampling refers to the partial removal of small insect parts, such as genitalia dissections. These insect parts should be preserved with the specimen.

In order to be approved for destructive sampling, please provide: 1) a brief description of the proposed technique(s); 2) justification for the use of FLMNH specimens; 3) explanation why the technique(s) applied or sample(s) requested are appropriate to the question being asked.

Justifications for sampling may include identification to any taxonomic level, the discovery and observation of variable characters at any level, or the application of other research questions and methods as specifically
stated.

The curatorial staff will consider each request independently without respect to your outside funding obligations. Novice researchers should demonstrate proficiency with the preparation methods. If approved, we will require a signature by the researcher (and a major advisor in the case of student requests or sponsor for unaffiliated researchers) agreeing to the terms outlined in the Guidelines and Agreement form. In addition, we ask that you return usable samples or by-products (e.g. total DNA) either to us, or to the Florida Museum’s Genetic Resources Repository. Similarly, we require the return of dissection slides, anatomical preparations, and any analytical results of environmental contaminants in sufficient curatorial condition to reincorporate easily into the collection. This material will be catalogued in association with the specimens in our collection for future reference. Please submit copies of the research papers, reports, theses, etc. that result from the sampling procedure when it is completed.

Please contact the collections manager by email for additional guidelines and forms.