Marlo,

In Chapter 2 of The Mollusks: A Guide to Their Study, Collection, and
Preservation by Sturm, Pearce, and Valdes (eds.) there is a section on
narcotization and all (?) of the agents that have been used. I don't have
a copy of the electronic version of the book with me so I can't be more
specific about which agents were use for gastropods vs bivalves or marine
vs freshwater. What I can say is that this is an area that needs more
research.

When I get a chance, I'll post the information.


> A little online research and I found that magnesium chloride, magnesium
> sulfate, chloral hydrate, phenoxyethanol, and phenoxypropanol can be used
> to
> narcotize shells.  For those who have done this my questions are:
>
> 1.      Which one is easily available, the most effective and the least
> hazardous to work with?
> 2.      Tips on use?
> 3.      Is one better than another for bivalves or univalves?
> 4.      Is one better when working with micro shells (<15 mm)?
>
> Marlo
> merritt island, fl
>
>
>
>


Regards,
Charlie
.................................................
Charlie Sturm
Research Associate - Section of Mollusks
Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Assistant Professor - Family Medicine
Fellow-American Academy of Family Practice
Fellow-Academy of Wilderness Medicine

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