How to Curate and Digitize Bryozoa: Experiences at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

Abstract

We report on curation and digitization experiences of a large collection of Bryozoa (>19,759 of estimated 38,000 lots digitized, >1,000 type lots). Storage of one to two histology slides in capped glass vials and larger series in twenty-five-slot histology boxes is optimal. Bulk dry material is stored in acid-free containers (cardboard, plastic). Fluid specimens are stored in 70 percent ethanol, with small specimens housed in 20 ml scintillation vials with conical polypropylene lined screw caps. Digitizing is most effective by georeferencing immediately. Unidentified material should at least be roughly identified (family, genus) to encourage loans and ensuing expert identification. Taxonomy and nomenclature are challenging and require an experienced taxonomist. Approaches to specimen counts are discussed.