unit vi - ias specimen collection, identification, and preservation at · pdf...

U N I T V I – IAS Specimen Collection, Identification, & Preservation at Ports

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Unit Objectives:

By the end of this unit, students should be able to:

1. Be familiar with IAS specimen collection preparation, preservation, and vouchering.

2. Understand dichotomous keys that are used for identification of various organisms.

3. Construct a simple dichotomous ID key.

4. Prepare and mount or preserve a specimen IAS (plant, insect, disease, aquatic nuisance species, or injurious wildlife.


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Unit VI - Table of Contents

Introduction

Session 1. IAS Specimen Collection and Identification 6.1. Specimen Collection

6.2. Specimen ID Resources 6.2.1. Invasive Plant ID Guides, Fact Sheets, and other

Resources 6.2.2. Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) and Injurious Wildlife ID

Guidelines, Fact Sheets, and other Resources 6.2.3. Insect and Disease ID Guides, Fact Sheets, and other

Resources 6.3. Traditional Dichotomous Keys for Identification of IAS

6.3.1. Sample Key for Identification of Oak Trees in the Eastern United States

6.4. Computer Assisted Identification Tools 6.5. Online Invasive Species Databases

6.6. DNA Bar Coding – The Barcode of Life Project

Session 2. Port Identification Reference Collection 6.7. Development of a Port ID Reference Collection (Prohibited Insects,

Seeds of Regulated Weeds, etc.)

6.8. Plant Specimen Collection and Preservation 6.9. Insect Specimen Collection and Preservation

6.10. Plant and Animal Disease Specimens 6.11. Aquatic Nuisance Species

6.12. Injurious Wildlife, Amphibians, and Reptiles

Major Concepts in Unit VI Unit VI. Lab Exercises 1. Construction of a Dichotomous Key

2. IAS Specimen Preservation


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Introduction

The ultimate success of a pest exclusion program depends on the knowledge and skill of inspectors at intercepting invasive alien species

(IAS) that pass through a port of entry (as contaminants or intentional imports). However, identification, and preservation of such specimens

are also very important elements of the border clearance process. Pest interceptions are physical evidence that are needed to deny entry

of a prohibited commodity (e.g., a prohibited ornamental plant), or to require treatment of a contaminated commodity as a condition of entry

(e.g., guar gum infested with Khapra beetle). Ultimately, pest interceptions become part of the port interception record – a

permanent record that shows trends in IAS introductions from other countries and helps to prioritize cargo inspection. This is especially

helpful to new inspectors without much experience. This session will

provide an overview of IAS specimen collection, ID, and vouchering at a port of entry.

Session 1. Specimen Collection and Identification

6.1. Specimen Collection Over the years, border clearance inspectors will encounter an amazing

variety of organisms as they inspect ships, planes, vehicles, cargo, commodities, and etc., at a port of entry. It is not uncommon to

board a cargo plane arriving from abroad and find snails on pallets of cargo, or lizards scurrying around the cargo bay. In nature, it is

always advisable to be very discriminate in collection of plant and animal specimens. However, at the port of entry, an inspector should

collect a sufficient number of organisms or plants (e.g., seeds) to ensure proper identification.

After collection, specimens should be maintained in good condition

(e.g., in bags, or bottles, or etc.) until they can be properly identified, preserved, and vouchered, as part of the Port of Entry ID Collection.

6.2. Specimen Identification Resources Every port should have identification manuals for each type of IAS that

they encounter. This includes ID manuals for Plants, Insects, Plant


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Diseases, Animal Diseases, Aquatic Nuisance Species, and Injurious

Wildlife. The manuals needed in a port will depend the types of IAS that are intercepted over time. Here is a list of online IAS ID

resources from North America and elsewhere.

6.2.1. Invasive Plant ID Guides, Fact Sheets, and other Resources

- California - Pest Management & Identification: Weeds listed

by common name: http://axp.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/weeds_common.html

- California - Practical Guidebook for Invasive Plant Identification & Control:

http://www.sfei.org/nis/NISguidebooklowres.pdf

- Canada - Noxious and Other Selected Weeds of British Columbia:

http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/cropprot/weedguid/weedindx.htm

- Eastern U.S. - Invasive Plants - Identification & Control: http://www.invasive.org/eastern/

- Florida: Aquatic, Wetland and Invasive Plant Info. System: Line Drawings List:

http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu/drawlist.html

- Florida Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants: Aquatic Plant Identification Cards:

http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu/cardlist.html

- Georgia – University of Georgia - Bugwood Network - Invasive

Plant Images: http://www.invasive.org/weeds.cfm

- Idaho - Noxious Weed Images:

http://www.oneplan.org/Crop/noxWeeds/nxWeed00.htm

- Kansas - Noxious Weeds: http://www.accesskansas.org/kda/Plantpest/PestManagement/plant-

pestmanagement-weeds.htm

- Kentucky - University of Kentucky Seed Identification: http://www.ca.uky.edu/agripedia/agmania/seedid/


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- Missouri - University of Missouri Weed Seed Images:

http://muextension.missouri.edu/explore/agguides/pests/ipm1023.htm

- North Dakota and Minnesota - Selected Range Plants:

http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/ansci/range/eb69-2.htm

- New Jersey - Rutgers Extension Weed Gallery: http://www.rce.rutgers.edu/weeds/

- New Mexico - Weed Information and Identification:

http://weeds.nmsu.edu/

- Northeastern Weed Science Society - Weed Identification: http://www.newss.org/

- Ohio - Identifying Noxious Weeds of Ohio: http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~ohioline/b866/index.html

- Oklahoma - Seed Images (OSU):

http://teachplants.okstate.edu/

- Pennsylvania - Key to Identifying Common Grassy Weed Seedlings in PA:

http://agguide.agronomy.psu.edu/keygrass.htm

- Southern Forests – U.S. – Introduced Invasive Plants - Identification Guide:

http://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/gtr/gtr_srs062/index.htm

- Texas - Weed Identification:

http://www-aes.tamu.edu/mary/Wdid.htm

- Texas – Grass Images – Texas A&M University: http://www.csdl.tamu.edu/FLORA/image/poacr2ba.htm

- The Nature Conservancy – U.S. - Wildland Weeds Photo Gallery:

http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/photos.html

- Northeastern Area – U.S. - USDA Forest Service - Invasive Plants:

http://www.na.fs.fed.us/fhp/invasive_plants/


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- Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas - U.S. – Plant Invaders - National

Park Service: http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/pubs/midatlantic/toc.htm

- Utah - The Weed Web Photo Library:

http://extension.usu.edu/weedweb/photo/PL.htm

- Virginia - Grass Weed Identification Key: http://whizlab.isis.vt.edu/servlet/wid?table=grasses

- Virginia - Weed Images:

http://www.ppws.vt.edu/~sforza/weeds.html

- Virginia - Weed Identification Guide: http://ipm.ppws.vt.edu/weedindex.htm

- Wisconsin - Invasive Plants of Northeastern Wisconsin: http://www.uwgb.edu/biodiversity/herbarium/invasive_species/invasiv

e_plants01.htm

- Los Arboles in Espana: diagnostic images of tree bark: http://www.arbolesornamentales.com/autor.htm

- Swedish Virtual Flora (Den virtuella floran)

http://linnaeus.nrm.se/flora/

- Weeds Australia - A Great Gateway http://www.weeds.org.au/index2.html

6.2.2. Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) and Injurious Wildlife ID

Guides, Fact sheets, and other Resources

- Indiana Department of Natural Resources Website with Numerous ANS ID Fact Sheets:

http://www.in.gov/dnr/invasivespecies/

- U.S. Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force ANS Fact Sheets: http://www.anstaskforce.gov/education.php

- Minnesota Sea Grant ANS Fact Sheets:

▪ http://www.seagrant.umn.edu/exotics/cards.html ▪ http://www.seagrant.umn.edu/exotics/index.html


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- MN-A Field Guide to Aquatic Exotic Plants and Animals:

http://www.seagrant.umn.edu/exotics/fieldguide.html

- U.S. Sea Grant National Aquatic Nuisance Species Clearinghouse:

http://www.aquaticinvaders.org/

- Injurious Animals in Florida: http://sofia.usgs.gov/sfrsf/rooms/species/invasive/intro/

- Invasive Animal Fact Sheets:

http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/animals/main.shtml

6.2.3. Insect and Disease ID Guides, Fact sheets, and other

Resources

- Arizona - Flora and Fauna Image Gallery - University of

Arizona: http://cals.arizona.edu/extension/azffig/

- FMC Agricultural Products Fact Sheets for Common Insects

and Weeds: http://cropsolutions.fmc.com/InsectsandWeeds/tabid/869/Default.asp

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- University of Florida – Introduction to Insect Classification and Identification:

http://entnemdept.ifas.ufl.edu/choate/insecpdf.htm

- University of Florida – Insect Related Terms and Definitions:

http://entnemdept.ifas.ufl.edu/choate/composite.pdf

- University of California – Insect Pest Fact Sheets: http://axp.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/selectnewpest.home.html#insect

- University of California – Insects and Diseases of Turfgrass:

http://axp.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/selectnewpest.turfgrass.html#INSECTS

- West Virginia University – Diagnostic Keys to Diseases of Fruit

Trees: http://www.caf.wvu.edu/kearneysville/wvufarm6.html


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- Global Invasive Species Database – Invasive Mammal Fact

Sheets: http://www.issg.org/database/species/search.asp?sts=sss&st=sss&fr=

1&sn=&rn=&hci=-1&ei=166&x=27&y=4

6.3. Traditional Dichotomous Keys for Identification of IAS

Traditionally, identification of plants and animals has been aided by using a

dichotomous key. A dichotomous key is a series of successive choices (couplets) that

lead the user to the correct name of an item. A couplet describes some feature of related

organisms which is compared with the specimen to be identified (e.g., fruit ovary

position – superior or inferior; leaf margins smooth or serrated). Once an organism has

been tentatively identified, it is important to compare the specimen to a more detailed

description to make sure the ID is correct.

Couplet 1. Seeds Round Soybean

Seeds Oblong Go to #2

Couplet 2 Seeds White Navy Beans Seeds Black Black Beans

6.3.1. Sample Key for Identification of Oak Trees in the Eastern United States

From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dichotomous_key

1. Leaves usually without teeth or lobes: 2 1. Leaves usually with teeth or lobes: 5

2. Leaves evergreen: 3

2. Leaves not evergreen: 4

Live Oak (Quercus virginiana) Photo by Chris Evas. http://www.forestryimages.org/browse/detail.cfm?imgnum=2128049


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3. Mature plant a large tree — Southern live oak (Quercus

virginiana) 3. Mature plant a small shrub — Dwarf live oak (Quercus

minima)

4. Leaf narrow, about 4-6 times as long as broad — Willow oak (Quercus phellos)

4. Leaf broad, about 2-3 times as long as broad — Shingle oak (Quercus imbricaria)

5. Lobes or teeth bristle-tipped: 6

5. Lobes or teeth rounded or blunt-pointed, no bristles: 7

6. Leaves mostly with 3 lobes — Blackjack oak (Quercus marilandica)

6. Leaves mostly with 7-9 lobes — Northern red oak (Quercus

rubra)

7. Leaves with 5-9 deep lobes — White oak (Quercus alba) 7. Leaves with 21-27 shallow lobes — Swamp chestnut oak

(Quercus prinus)

URLs for oak trees in the sample key:

▪ Southern live oak — http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_live_oak

▪ Dwarf live oak — http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=233501062

▪ Willow oak — http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willow_oak ▪ Shingle oak — http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shingle_oak ▪ Blackjack oak — http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackjack_oak ▪ Northern red oak —http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_red_oak

▪ White Oak — http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_oak ▪ Swamp chestnut oak — http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swamp_chestnut_oak


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6.4. Overview of Computer Assisted Identification Tools Computer assisted ID keys are just like traditional dichotomous keys –

they present mutually exclusive choices in a successive series of couplets. Here are some online examples of computer assisted ID

tools.

- Arbor Day Foundation – Animated Tree Identification Key: http://www.arborday.org/trees/wtit/

- Amateur Entomology Society - Online Key to Insect Identification:

http://www.projects.ex.ac.uk/bugclub/bugid.html

- Earth Life Web Production – Online Key to Identification of

Insect Orders: http://www.earthlife.net/insects/orders-key.html

- National Herbarium of New South Wales – Plantnet -

Interactive Dichotomous Key: (http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/interactive_keys.htm)

Interactive dichotomous keys combine existing dichotomous keys with multiple entry methods based on a reduced number of simplified

characters. The matrix is scanned for entries matching the data input, and the dichotomous key is then pruned and reordered to include only

matching taxa.

- University of Toronto – Website for Isolation, Cultivation, and Identification of Molds (Including Dichotomous and Picture

Keys):

http://www.botany.utoronto.ca/ResearchLabs/MallochLab/Malloch/Moulds/Moulds.html

- Virginia Tech - Online Tree Identification Key:

http://www.cnr.vt.edu/DENDRO/DENDROLOGY/idit.htm

- Lucid Online Identification Keys. http://www.lucidcentral.org/


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Lucid is a flexible and powerful

information management tool that is specifically designed for

identification and diagnostic purposes. It permits expert

knowledge to be “cloned” and distributed to a wide audience

via CD or the Internet. Lucid identification keys are

currently being used by a wide range of

users, from students to scientists, and conservation

managers. The Lucid software development team is located at the Centre for Biological Information Technology (CBIT) at the University

of Queensland, Australia.

- Lucid Key for Federal Noxious Weed Disseminules of the U.S. -

USDA APHIS Center for Plant Health Science and Technology, Raleigh, NC.

http://www.lucidcentral.org/keys/v3/FNW/


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6.5. Online Invasive Species Databases

Invasive Species – All Taxa - Germplasm Resources Information Network (USDA Agriculture Research Service):

http://www.ars-grin.gov/

- Global Invasive Species Information Network (GISIN):

http://www.gisinetwork.org/index.html

- Global Invasive Species Database (IUCN Invasive Species Specialist Group – 100 of the World’s Worst Invasive Alien

Species): http://www.issg.org/database/welcome/

- Harmful Non-Indigenous Species Database:

http://www.hear.org/hnis/index.html

- Invasive Species of the Central Southwest – Gulf Coast Region - CSWGCIN USGS/NBII:

http://cswgcin.nbii.org/issues/invasives/index.html

- NatureServe Explorer (Online NatureServe Invasive Species

Information System): http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/

- Integrated Taxonomic Information System (Smithsonian

Institution): http://www.itis.usda.gov/

- TEKTRAN Invasive Species - Agricultural Research Service:

http://www.itis.usda.gov/

- TEXASINVASIVES.ORG Plants Database: http://www.texasinvasives.org/Invasives_Database/Invasives.html

Aquatic Nuisance Species

- AquaInvader - Database of Aquatic Invasive Species of Europe:

http://www.zin.ru/rbic/projects/aquainvader/default.asp

- Aquatic Invasive Species Web Page: http://seagrant.wisc.edu/ais/


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- Aquatic Plant Information System (U.S. Army Corps of

Engineers): http://el.erdc.usace.army.mil/aqua/apis/

- Great Lakes Aquatic Nonindigenous Species List:

http://www.glerl.noaa.gov/res/Programs/invasive/ - Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) in the United States

(USGS BRD): http://www.glerl.noaa.gov/res/Programs/invasive/

Invasive Plants - Biota of North America Program. (John Kartesz, Chapel Hill,

NC) : http://www.bonap.org/

- Center for Invasive and Aquatic Plants (University of Florida): http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu/

- Flora of North American Project:

http://hua.huh.harvard.edu/FNA/

- Invaders Database System (University of Montana, Missoula): http://invader.dbs.umt.edu/

- Invasive Plants of the Thirteen Southern States:

http://www.invasive.org/seweeds.cfm?sort=2

- Invasive Plant Images and Information (Bugwood, University of Georgia):

http://www.invasive.org/weeds.cfm

- Southwest Exotic Plant Mapping Program (USGS BRD,

Flagstaff, AZ): http://www.usgs.nau.edu/SWEPIC/swemp/swempA.asp

- USDA Plants Database (USDA NRCS, Scott Peterson):

http://www.plants.usda.gov/

- Invasive Plant Atlas of New England (Les Mehrhoff, University of CT):

http://invasives.eeb.uconn.edu/ipane/


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- The Nature Conservancy Invasive Plant Documents and

Photographs: http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/esadocs.html

- The Nature Conservancy’s Weed Information Management

System: http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/wims.html

- TNC Link to Rod Randall’s Global Compendium of Weeds

(Western Australia Department of Agriculture): http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/biglist.html

Insects and Diseases - Exotic Forest Pest Information System for North America (5):

http://www.spfnic.fs.fed.us/exfor/index.cfm

- U.S. Great Plains Diagnostic Network (CSREES):

http://www.gpdn.org/DesktopDefault.aspx

- U.S. National Plant Diagnostic Network (CSREES – Plant and Animals Diseases):

http://www.npdn.org/DesktopDefault.aspx

Plant Quarantine Information Systems

- EPPO Plant Quarantine Data Retrieval System (PQR): http://www.eppo.org/PUBLICATIONS/pqr/pqr.htm

- National Agricultural Pest Information System ( NAPIS )

PestTracker (USDA APHIS and Purdue University):

http://ceris.purdue.edu/napis/index.html

– University of California-Davis - Pest Management and Identification:

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/crops-agriculture.html

6.6. DNA Bar Coding – The Barcode of Life Project

The Consortium for the Barcode of Life (CBOL)* is a global

initiative that is devoted to the development of DNA barcoding


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as a global standard in taxonomy. CBOL has more than 130 member

organizations** in over 40 countries. Some of the members include natural history museums, Zoos, Herbaria, Botanical Gardens,

Universities, Biodiversity Organizations, Governmental Agencies, NGOs, and Private Biotech Companies. The goal of the project is to

provide a practical method for rapid identification of the estimated 10 million species of life on Earth.

*Link to the Consortium for the Bar Code of Life Project:

http://www.barcoding.si.edu/

**Link to CBOL Member Organizations http://www.barcoding.si.edu/CBOLMembers_details.htm

Ultimately, the project will:

1) Facilitate species identification: - Enable non-taxonomists (e.g., * Border Clearance Inspectors,

Ecological Researchers, Conservation Enforcement Agencies, and a range of Regulatory Bodies) to identify unknown specimens,

especially where specimens defy identification using tradition characters (e.g., immature stages, partial or damaged

specimens, processed food/medicinal products) - Provide taxonomists with a near-universal, calibrated character

that can be used to show the how closely related different species are.

- Flag specimens that may represent new species.

2.) Encourage development of new technologies for DNA analysis (faster, better, cheaper, and usable in field biology), and,

3.) Provide more insight into the evolutionary history of life.

DNA Barcoding. DNA Barcoding is a technique that uses a short gene sequence from a standardized region of the genome (Genetic

Map of a Species) as a diagnostic ‘biomarker for each species being identified. Cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) is proving effective as the

barcode region for most, but not all, eukaryotic animal groups. Barcode regions other than COI will be needed for certain animal

groups and for most plants.

Molecular and gene sequence markers have been used in taxonomy for

decades, and DNA barcoding is an extension and refinement of that practice. DNA barcoding is standardizing, formalizing, and expanding


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this approach and promoting it as a global standard for species

identification.

First International Barcoding Conference and Development of International Barcoding Networks. In February, 2005, 220

participants from 44 countries gathered at the Natural History Museum, in London, England, for the first International Barcode

Conference. Following the London conference (URL: http://barcoding.si.edu/ConferencePresentations.htm), several

barcoding groups started to self organize. Two of these groups include:

- The International Network for Barcoding of Endangered

Vertebrates (INBEV) is dedicated to the conservation of vertebrates, and especially primates and other mammals that are

being hunted for bush meat. Participants hope that barcoding will

provide an enforcement tool for protection laws, and for controlling the trafficking in products made from protected species.

(URL: http://barcoding.si.edu/VertebrateConservation.htm).

- The International Network for Barcoding Invasive and Pest Species (INBIPS)

(URL: http://barcoding.si.edu/INBIPS.htm) . INBIPS is an informal network on invasive and pest species that will act as:

▪ A clearinghouse a clearinghouse of information concerning organizations, initiatives, and species lists concerned with

invasive and pest species, ▪ A forum for interactions among initiatives on invasive and

pest species, and ▪ A catalyst for the formation of barcoding projects on

invasive and pest species.


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Session 2. Port Identification Reference

Collection

6.7. Development of a Port IAS Identification Reference Collection The Port ID Collection is a permanent record of all the IAS that have

been collected from the port environmens by border clearance inspectors through the years. It is a valuable asset for prioritizing

inspections by identifying trends in the movement of pests associated with particular commodities from certain countries. After working for

5-10 years, a port inspector can look through the Port ID Collection, and take pride in the IAS that he or she has stopped at the port of

entry. Many interceptions will bring back memories of interesting

people and unusual shipments that have been encountered along the way.

6.8. Plant Specimen Collection and Preservation

Generally speaking, plant collections are important for several reasons.

1. Voucher specimens document the occurrence of a species at a particular time, in a particular location.

2. Herbarium specimens permit verification of a species in a particular area without additional field work.

3. The best way to identify a plant is to collect specimens and identify them in a lab with all the tools and resources at hand.

4. Repeated collections of plants over time add to scientific knowledge by monitoring the health of a region or habitat.

5. The work of field professionals is made available to a wide audience through specimens that are maintained in an herbarium – for hundreds of years to come.

A vascular plant collection is a valuable asset in every port of entry. Every port should maintain a collection of invasive plants and seeds

that they regulate, and that are of concern in their particular country or region. This will permit border clearance officials to become familiar

with species of concern that they may encounter in the border clearance process.


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General Plant Collection Guidelines and Tips

� Obtain permission from the land owner before collecting specimens.

� When collecting above ground parts, leave some leaves or stems intact to help the plant recover.

� Collect only above ground plant parts unless the roots are needed for identification.

� Limit the number of plants collected. � Collect plants discriminately, and in small quantities – even from

large populations.

� Disturb as little soil as possible. � Use plastic bags to transport collected specimens from the field.

Enclose a wet paper towel in the bag to help keep the plants

from drying out. Protect the bag from direct sun and heat.

� For each specimen, take notes on the location, growing site, and habitat. After the plant is dry, label each specimen with this

information, along with your name and the collection date.

� Plant pressing is done to remove all moisture from the plant. Drying is best done with a standard plant press. If a plant press

is not available, a large phone book will work for most plant specimens.

� If possible, press and dry the plants the same day they are collected. If not, store the bag in a refrigerator or cool place overnight.

Sometimes, plant parts such as fruits, leaves, or stems will be found

hitchhiking on imported commodities. However, the most frequently intercepted plant part is seeds. In

the port of entry, an inspector should collect as many seed contaminants as possible, to help

facilitate a correct identification.

Dried plant specimens of concern at a port of entry

should be mounted on standard herbarium paper, and labeled with the scientific name, date and place

of collection, the collection number, and the collector’s name. Mounted plant specimens should

be maintained in a closed cabinet. A drying agent should be used to minimize moisture and growth

of mold and mildew in the cabinet.

http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/research_and_conservation/plant_identifications/voucher_specimens


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Additional Information:

- Royal Botanic Garden Melbourne - Herbarium Specimens URL:

http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/research_and_conservation/plant_identifications/voucher_specimens

Seeds of plants of concern at a port of entry should be maintained in sealed

glass or plastic vials or bottles, in a specimen cabinet or filing cabinet

drawer. Each seed vial should be labeled with the scientific name, date

and place of collection, collection number, and the collector’s name.

6.9. Insect Specimen Collection and Preservation

Newly collected insect larvae and pupae should be boiled in water for a short period

of time in order to set the proteins and avoid discoloration. Once the larvae and pupae

have been prepared, they may be stored

indefinitely in 95% alcohol in glass or plastic vials. Adult specimens should be stored in

vials or mounted with pins in a display drawer. Specimens should be arranged by

taxonomic order, family, genus, and species, for ease of comparison and future reference.

Cactus Moth Larvae (Cactoblastis cactorum) Randy Westbrooks, Whiteville, North Carolina

[email protected]

Seed Collection Specimens Randy Westbrooks, Whiteville, North Carolina [email protected]


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6.10. Plant and Animal Disease Specimen Collection and Preservation

Some of the more common diseases of concern may be maintained in sealed containers at a port

of entry. However, due to the difficulty of maintaining and containing disease specimens, it

is generally advisable to maintain a good photo

collection of specific plant and animal diseases of concern.

6.11. Aquatic Nuisance Species

Digital photography is generally regarded as an acceptable method for vouchering

fish specimens and most invertebrate aquatic nuisance species. However,

immature fishes of all species, certain minnows need to be collected and properly

preserved in alcohol for accurate identification. Bivalves such as Zebra and

Quagga Mussel can be maintained as dried specimens.

6.12. Injurious Wildlife, Amphibians, and Reptiles

Photographs and digital images are generally regarded as the preferred options

for vouchering of most terrestrial vertebrate animals (mammals, amphibians, reptiles).

However, mounted specimens resulting from traps or road kills make excellent office

displays, and are very valuable for public outreach, training, and identification

purposes.

Orange with Citrus Black Spot Disease http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/EDISImagePage?imageID=293211996&dlNumber=PP135&tag=FIGURE%201

Zebra Mussel on Native Clam. http://www.forestryimages.org/images/768x512/1299199.jpg

Nutria (Myocaster coypus). Randy Westbrooks, Whiteville, North Carolina [email protected]


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Unit VI. Major Concepts

1. Pest interceptions represent physical evidence that an imported commodity is infested and must be treated or cleaned in some

way as a condition of entry.

2. The port interception record is a permanent record that shows trends in IAS introductions and helps to prioritize cargo

inspection.

3. After collection, IAS specimens should be maintained in good condition until they can be processed and preserved.

4. IAS specimen ID resources include flora and fauna manuals, as

well as online dichotomous keys.

5. A dichotomous key is a series of descriptive couplets that lead a

user to the identification of a specimen.

6. Every IAS border clearance agency should maintain a collection (actual specimens or photos) of high priority IAS that they

regulate and typically intercept. This includes plants (herbarium specimens, seeds), insects, diseases, aquatic nuisance species,

and injurious wildlife.


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Unit VI. Lab Exercises

1. Identification of Plants Using a Dichotomous Key

Use a dichotomous key to identify the following five different plants.

A. ______________ B. ______________ C. ______________

D. ____________________ E. ____________________

1. Terrestrial Herbaceous Plant Go to 2

1. Aquatic or Wetland Plant Go to 3

2. Flowers Red Poppy

2. Flowers Yellow Sunflower

3. Perennial Floating Herb or Wetland Herb with Lavender

Flowers

Go to 4

3. Annual Floating Fern Giant Salvinia

4. Floating Herb Water Hyacinth

4. Wetland Herb Purple Loosestrife

A B C

D E


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2. Specimen Preservation

Divide the class up into groups. Have each group prepare and preserve one of the following types of specimens – a plant, an insect

or disease, an aquatic nuisance species, or an injurious animal.

Source list for Images in Unit VI Lab Exercise

1. Poppy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poppy 2. Sunflower:

http://pdphoto.org/PictureDetail.php?mat=pdef&pg=5355

3. Water Hyacinth:

http://www.invasive.org/eastern/species/3020.html Josh Hillman - FloridaNature.org

4. Water Hyacinth: http://www.invasive.org/eastern/species/3020.html Ted D.

Center, USDA ARS 5. Purple Loosestrife Flower:

http://www.invasive.org/browse/detail.cfm?imgnum=0024065 Norman E. Rees, USDA Agricultural Research Service, United

States 6. Purple Loosestrife:

http://www.invasive.org/browse/subject.cfm?sub=3047 Norman E. Rees, USDA Agricultural Research Service

7. Giant Salvinia Habitat: Randy G. Westbrooks. Whiteville, North Carolina, USA.

[email protected].

8. Giant Salvinia, Closeup: Randy G. Westbrooks. Whiteville, North Carolina, USA.

[email protected].


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