A note on centrifugation for improving freshwater invertebrate sample conservation

Abstract

Sorting of freshwater invertebrate samples is best done while the animals are still alive. However, sorting in the field generally means less overall sampling can be done in the allotted time. Placing samples under cold conditions has been the traditional way to extend the life of the organisms contained within them. In this work, we evaluated whether the addition of a centrifugation step extends the survival time of organisms post-sampling, thus providing more time for sorting. Three salad spinners were tested for their capacity to extract water from samples. Additional observations were made on the compaction of samples due to excessive centrifugation. We conclude that adding a short centrifugation step of 30 seconds prolongs the life of several freshwater invertebrate taxa, including Hydrachnidia, Nematoda and Ostracoda. Furthermore, when fixation of samples in the field is necessary, centrifugation reduces the amount of fixative to be added to the samples to reach a certain concentration. Fixed samples can also be centrifuged, which may be particularly relevant when sampling abroad as inflam-mable liquids are often prohibited on planes. In our experience, centrifuging fixed samples does not compromise the fixed organisms, or their genetic material.