Taking a sample is just the beginning and preserving and
processing specimens requires more than just the e-word. Having
completed eight dives, at least sixteen shore excursions, one
nightlighting session, six trips to the fish markets, several
roadside purchases and a surprise swim up to a fishing boat, the
scientists have well and truly justified that purchase of 90
litres of ethanol on Day 1. On each trip the preserving began in
the field and continued back at our accommodation. The specimens
will soon be shipped to the Museum where a thorough analysis can
be performed, possibly including SEM photography and DNA
sequencing. After that, identifications can be confirmed if
necessary and scientific papers can be published. So how did the
scientists start to process their samples here in Timor? I spoke
with about half the team to find out (because talking to all of
them would've made this post longer than a Dead Sea scroll).
Lauren studies amphipods, an order of crustaceans, and was
picking samples from dive s