Manual Implementation & �Collection Management & Curation Course��Discussion Forum 9�Collection storage and organisation�24 May 2022

Welcome and introduction of panelists

Fulufhelo Tambani

NSCF Science Communication Specialist

Discussion Forum guidelines for engagement

Keep your contributions helpful and considerate of the host and other participants

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Chat box:

• Say hello! Let us know which institution you are from
• Add questions regarding the panelist presentations. The panelists will be answering some of your questions live at the end of their presentations.

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We will have +- 1 hour dedicated to discussions… Please feel free to start a discussion and actively engage in discussions!

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Main risks to dry collection

• Physical damage – breaking – incorrect storage or handling
• Chemical changes caused by pollutants
• Physical damage caused by incorrect / fluctuations in temperature or humidity
• Loss of colour because of light exposure
• Water damage
• Mould- caused by damp
• Pests
• Loss of labels

Discussion Forum presenters

• Sifiso Mnxati, Bews Herbarium
• Jofred Opperman & Gabriel Lukoji, Iziko - terrestrial vertebrates
• Bianca Faveretto & Sibue Ngqulana - marine mammals
• Mandisa Ndlovu, KZN Museum - entomology
• Nikisha Singh, SANParks - various dry collections

DECONTAMINATION OF HERBARIUM SPECIMENS

Sifiso Mnxati

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Specialist: Scientific Curation

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NSCF Based at Bews Herbarium

Integration of Orphan Collection Project: Background

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• Before integration, Bews herbarium collection was estimated at 150 000
• Four Herbaria have been integrated to NU, namely; CPF (ca. 33 000), UDW (ca. 15 000, UNH (ca. 7000) & PCE( ca. 15 000 specimens)
• This makes an estimate of about 220 000 specimens housed at Bews Herbarium
• It should also be stressed that PCE collection includes most of the species endemic to The Pondoland Centre of Endemism, a bonus to researchers who will now have easy access to species from this endemic area
• One of the reasons why there was a need to integrate this collection to a research and well managed institute

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PROTECTING PLANT SPECIMENS FROM DECOMPOSING�

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• The conservation and restoration of herbaria includes the preventive care, repair, and restoration of herbarium specimens
• Specimens may be sensitive to mold, pests or damage from improper storage conditions
• It takes a lot of time and care to keep our collections and specimens in good condition

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PREVENTIVE CONSERVATION CAN PREVENT MUCH OF THE DAMAGE THAT COULD OCCUR

• The specimens are subjected to a process of natural decontamination to kill any destructive insects or insect eggs.
• E.g. freezing, insecticide chemicals, etc.
• Some herbaria use chemicals to decontaminate

their specimens,

• At Bews Herbarium, we have chosen the deep freezing as our primary method of decontamination for incoming dry specimens
• This is done to prevent pests from entering the herbarium and we do not condone the use of poisons due to human health concern
• In the past: a bundle of specimen was frozen once, for at least 3 days (72 hours) but usually over a week, at a temperature of at least -20 degrees C.
• We also followed up with checks when we use the collection and we did fumigation twice a year.

CURRENT DECONTAMINATION PROCESS AT NU

• We freeze an incoming bundle (especially new accessions) twice for at least 3 days (often longer), at a temperature closer to -30 degrees C if possible.
• We take the bundle out after the first freeze and leave it at room

temperature for a week.

• The idea is that any developing insect larvae, pupae or eggs will

hatch during this time.

• We used to believe that 2 weeks was a good time period but some entomologists that were on our Collections Management & Conservation working group suggested that two weeks are enough for some insects to complete a life cycle and go into resting phase again.
• Now we try for one week in-between freezing of new accessions.
• We also keep a temperature at 19 degrees C or less and monitor the changes and report it immediately if there is a temperature rise.

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IPM – INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT: NU

• As our new IPM initiative we do not do fumigation twice a year any more, unless we have picked up from our monitoring that there is an insect outbreak.
• Insect damage in bundles of specimens that have not yet been accessioned is dealt with at the level of that bundle (if it was wrapped in plastic, which is our default storage method during specimen preparation).
• We clean the specimens (remove frass) and refreeze the bundle.

ORPHAN COLLECTION DECONTAMINATION AT NU

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• Once specimens are barcoded, imaged and partially digitised before integrated;

Specimens undergo a second freezing for another 72 hours before accessioning/filing

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IN CONCLUSION

• The coastal herbaria seem to battle with cigarette beetles & booklice attack more than the inland collections, and this area needs more attention in future.
• Maintaining and protecting the collections that we house is a full time labour of love.
• So maybe another answer to the question:

“How do you protect specimens from decomposing?” Is…

You just love your collection a little extra.

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THANK YOU!!

Integrated Pest Management of Terrestrial Vertebrate Dry Collections

by Jofred Opperman (Collections Manager) and Gabriel Lukoji (Assistant Collections Manager) Iziko Museums of South Africa

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Mammal Study Skin and Taxidermy Mount Collections

• Mammals
• dating back mid 1800s
• 12 685 specimens
• 25 types

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Mammal Osteology Collection

Bird Study Skins and Egg Collections

• dating back to mid 1800s
• 18 583 specimens
• 56 types

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Herpetology Collections

• Mostly preserved as wet/spirit collections with some skeletons and tortoise/turtle shells
• dating back to mid 1920s
• 14 004 specimens
• 102 types specimens

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Procedure for PDB Fumigation of Mammal and Bird Mounts Exhibitions

BAYWORLD DRY COLLECTIONS

Presented by: Sibusisiwe Ngqulana (Collections manager)

Prepared by: Bianca Favaretto (Research assistant)

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Marine mammal dry collection

• Established in the late 1960’s by Graham Ross
• ~ 6300 specimens representing 12 pinnipeds, 43 cetacean and 1 sirenian species
• Largest marine mammal collection in the Southern Hemisphere
• Consist of skeletal material: skull, post-cranial skeleton and teeth

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Storage

• Metal shelving for skeletal material; metal cabinets for teeth
• Most specimens are stored in boxes
• Specimens on lowest shelf are raised slightly off the ground
• Relative humidity maintained at 55%
• Extractor fans and windows blocked out

Challenges & Solutions

1. Space

Solution?

2. Mould

• Bone washing
• 10% bleach or 96% ethanol
• Monitoring/dehumidifiers

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3. No cushioning for larger skulls

Polyethylene foam

Herpetology dry collection

• Established by John Hewitt in Albany Museum in the early 1900s
• ~ 700 specimens

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1. Pests (primarily beetles)

Fumigate (liquid - biannually)

Sticky adhesive

Thank you!

KWAZULU-NATAL MUSEUM ENTOMOLOGY COLLECTION

(PEST MANAGEMENT)

Housing of the Collection- Dry Collection�

• 3 collection rooms (Diptera 1, Diptera 2, Non Diptera)
• Shelving units are mounted to the side walls
• Specimens are pinned on stainless steel pins ,given labels and placed in unit trays that are lined with foam
• Unit trays placed in wooden drawers

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Taking care of the collection

• Spot check drawers daily

- Take out 5 or more drawers, inspect them to see if there are any pests or dust in/on them. Clean the top of the glass lids.

• Keeping collection rooms clean

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Type of problematic invertebrates to expect�

• Silverfish
• Booklice
• Spiders
• Cockroaches
• Beetles

How to monitor pests

• Blunder traps in each corner of every collection room
• Pheromones- Pheromones are used in traps to lure insects
• Inspection/Observations-physically check if there are any pests in the drawers

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How to prevent pests�

• The main environmental objectives to prevent pests in collection rooms are:

-Keeping the humidity low (installing dehumidifiers)

-Keeping the collections room dark (switching off light in not needed)

-Keeping the collections clean (by prohibiting eating, drinking and littering in collection rooms)

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How to treat pests�

• Freezing

-Wrapping the drawers in plastic and putting it in the freezer

• Doom foggers / Fumigation

-Usually happens once a year or if necessary

• Physical removal

-Remove them by hand/ forceps or if its mould, use a small brush dipped in alcohol.

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Skukuza Biological Reference Collection

Nikisha Singh�

• ~ 10 000 insect specimens.
• 1257 reptiles specimens.
• 487 amphibian specimens.
• 832 bird specimens.
• 129 mammal specimens.
• ~ 1000 invertebrate specimens
• (molluscs, arachnida, internal parasites,
• centipedes and millipedes).
• 950 fish specimens.

�The dry collections (mammal & bird skins; insect & herbarium specimens)�

Fumigation:

• Previous methods adopted: Combination of fumitabs & doom fogger.
• Prior to fumigation: An email is sent to the communications department – email a notice to all colleagues that fumigation will be taking place – one week in advance.
• On the Friday: Close from 14h00.
• Evening: final check.
• Weekend: Aircons are switched on. Doors are

opened.

• Frequency: Twice a year (June & December).
• Fumigation is recorded.

Pest control: Bird & mammal skins; herbarium specimens:

• Bird & mammal skins – sealed in industrial plastic – barrier against pests.
• Pesticide used: Vapona – changed once every three months.
• Drawers are checked regularly for pests. Previously – Once every 6 months. Now – Once every 3 months.
• Herbarium cabinets – Once every 6 months.
• All dates and information is recorded.

Insect collections:

• Pesticide used: Vapona – changed once every 3 months.
• Drawers are checked regularly for pests. Previously – Once every 6 months. Now – Once every month.
• Recently – signs of pets (dermestid larvae) in some of the insect drawers.
• The entire drawer is placed in a plastic bag and put into the freezer (-20°C) – one week. The drawer is then left out to thaw – 5 days. Put back into the freezer for another week.
• All dates and information is recorded (type of pest, signs of the pest etc.)
• Pictures are also taken for record.
• Mending of old and frail specimens – plan is being put in place.

General upkeep & useful tips:

• Collection rooms – clutter.
• Spider beetles were found.
• Cleared out the entire storeroom and moved boxes with old archival material – prevent infestations before they can occur.
• It is important to review management plans and alter them accordingly – how often collections might actually need to be checked for pests as opposed to how often they are being carried out.
• Second barrier for pest control: UV insect traps.

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After hearing about different institutions and collections …..

• What stood out for you?
• What would you like to know more about?
• What left you feeling puzzled?

Assignment 11: Choose between the following two options:

• Comprehensive assessment of the current state of care for a dry collection (herbarium, pinned insects, mollusc shells, bird eggs, skins, skulls, bones or fossils). Template that needs to be completed.

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OR

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• Development of an Integrated Pest Management Plan for a collection or institution. Use available information (web, Manual). Include a paragraph on what changes would be needed to implement this Plan.

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Caring for Dry Collections

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