For preserving DNA, ethanol is the one to use, the stronger the better.  I
have not experimented with rubbing alcohol to see if the additives in the
ethanol version affect DNA extraction.  For DNA, the live animal should be
placed directly into the ethanol, after making sure the shell cannot be
tightly closed (possibly by cutting it open).
 
I am still interested in any ethanol-preserved bivalves for my DNA work.
In particular, any Crassatellidae (Eucrassatella, Bathytormus, Crassatina,
Indocrassatella, Salaputium, Talabrica, Crassinella) or Tellidorella would
be of particular interest.
 
Thanks again to those who have sent material.
 
David Campbell
 
"Old Seashells"
 
Department of Geological Sciences
CB 3315 Mitchell Hall
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill NC 27599-3315
USA
 
919-962-0685
FAX 919-966-4519
 
"He had discovered an unknown bivalve, forming a new genus"-E. A. Poe, The
Gold Bug