U N I T V I – IAS Specimen Collection, Identification, & Preservation at Ports
Unit VI - IAS Specimen Collection,
Identification, and Preservation at
Ports of Entry
Unit Objectives:
By the end of this unit, students should be able to:
1. Be familiar with IAS specimen collection preparation,
preservation, and vouchering.
2. Understand dichotomous keys that
identification of various organisms.
are
used
for
3. Construct a simple dichotomous ID key.
4. Prepare and mount or preserve a specimen IAS (plant,
insect, disease, aquatic nuisance species, or injurious
wildlife.
167
U N I T V I – IAS Specimen Collection, Identification, & Preservation at Ports
Unit VI - Table of Contents
Introduction
Session 1. IAS Specimen Collection and Identification
6.1. Specimen Collection
6.2. Specimen ID Resources
6.2.1. Invasive Plant ID Guides, Fact Sheets, and other
Resources
6.2.2. Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) and Injurious Wildlife ID
Guidelines, Fact Sheets, and other Resources
6.2.3. Insect and Disease ID Guides, Fact Sheets, and other
Resources
6.3. Traditional Dichotomous Keys for Identification of IAS
6.3.1. Sample Key for Identification of Oak Trees in the Eastern
United States
6.4. Computer Assisted Identification Tools
6.5. Online Invasive Species Databases
6.6. DNA Bar Coding – The Barcode of Life Project
Session 2. Port Identification Reference Collection
6.7. Development of a Port ID Reference Collection (Prohibited Insects,
Seeds of Regulated Weeds, etc.)
6.8. Plant Specimen Collection and Preservation
6.9. Insect Specimen Collection and Preservation
6.10. Plant and Animal Disease Specimens
6.11. Aquatic Nuisance Species
6.12. Injurious Wildlife, Amphibians, and Reptiles
Major Concepts in Unit VI
Unit VI. Lab Exercises
1. Construction of a Dichotomous Key
2. IAS Specimen Preservation
168
U N I T V I – IAS Specimen Collection, Identification, & Preservation at Ports
Introduction
The ultimate success of a pest exclusion program depends on the
knowledge and skill of inspectors at intercepting invasive alien species
(IAS) that pass through a port of entry (as contaminants or intentional
imports). However, identification, and preservation of such specimens
are also very important elements of the border clearance process.
Pest interceptions are physical evidence that are needed to deny entry
of a prohibited commodity (e.g., a prohibited ornamental plant), or to
require treatment of a contaminated commodity as a condition of entry
(e.g., guar gum infested with Khapra beetle).
Ultimately, pest
interceptions become part of the port interception record – a
permanent record that shows trends in IAS introductions from other
countries and helps to prioritize cargo inspection. This is especially
helpful to new inspectors without much experience. This session will
provide an overview of IAS specimen collection, ID, and vouchering at
a port of entry.
Session 1. Specimen Collection and Identification
6.1. Specimen Collection
Over the years, border clearance inspectors will encounter an amazing
variety of organisms as they inspect ships, planes, vehicles, cargo,
commodities, and etc., at a port of entry. It is not uncommon to
board a cargo plane arriving from abroad and find snails on pallets of
cargo, or lizards scurrying around the cargo bay. In nature, it is
always advisable to be very discriminate in collection of plant and
animal specimens. However, at the port of entry, an inspector should
collect a sufficient number of organisms or plants (e.g., seeds) to
ensure proper identification.
After collection, specimens should be maintained in good condition
(e.g., in bags, or bottles, or etc.) until they can be properly identified,
preserved, and vouchered, as part of the Port of Entry ID Collection.
6.2. Specimen Identification Resources
Every port should have identification manuals for each type of IAS that
they encounter. This includes ID manuals for Plants, Insects, Plant
169
U N I T V I – IAS Specimen Collection, Identification, & Preservation at Ports
Diseases, Animal Diseases, Aquatic Nuisance Species, and Injurious
Wildlife. The manuals needed in a port will depend the types of IAS
that are intercepted over time. Here is a list of online IAS ID
resources from North America and elsewhere.
6.2.1. Invasive Plant ID Guides, Fact Sheets, and other
Resources
- California - Pest Management & Identification: Weeds listed
by common name:
http://axp.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/weeds_common.html
- California - Practical Guidebook for Invasive Plant
Identification & Control:
http://www.sfei.org/nis/NISguidebooklowres.pdf
- Canada - Noxious and Other Selected Weeds of British
Columbia:
http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/cropprot/weedguid/weedindx.htm
- Eastern U.S. - Invasive Plants - Identification & Control:
http://www.invasive.org/eastern/
- Florida: Aquatic, Wetland and Invasive Plant Info. System:
Line Drawings List:
http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu/drawlist.html
- Florida Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants: Aquatic Plant
Identification Cards:
http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu/cardlist.html
- Georgia – University of Georgia - Bugwood Network - Invasive
Plant Images:
http://www.invasive.org/weeds.cfm
- Idaho - Noxious Weed Images:
http://www.oneplan.org/Crop/noxWeeds/nxWeed00.htm
- Kansas - Noxious Weeds:
http://www.accesskansas.org/kda/Plantpest/PestManagement/plantpestmanagement-weeds.htm
- Kentucky - University of Kentucky Seed Identification:
http://www.ca.uky.edu/agripedia/agmania/seedid/
170
U N I T V I – IAS Specimen Collection, Identification, & Preservation at Ports
- Missouri - University of Missouri Weed Seed Images:
http://muextension.missouri.edu/explore/agguides/pests/ipm1023.ht
m
- North Dakota and Minnesota - Selected Range Plants:
http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/ansci/range/eb69-2.htm
- New Jersey - Rutgers Extension Weed Gallery:
http://www.rce.rutgers.edu/weeds/
- New Mexico - Weed Information and Identification:
http://weeds.nmsu.edu/
- Northeastern Weed Science Society - Weed Identification:
http://www.newss.org/
- Ohio - Identifying Noxious Weeds of Ohio:
http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~ohioline/b866/index.html
- Oklahoma - Seed Images (OSU):
http://teachplants.okstate.edu/
- Pennsylvania - Key to Identifying Common Grassy Weed
Seedlings in PA:
http://agguide.agronomy.psu.edu/keygrass.htm
- Southern Forests – U.S. – Introduced Invasive Plants Identification Guide:
http://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/gtr/gtr_srs062/index.htm
- Texas - Weed Identification:
http://www-aes.tamu.edu/mary/Wdid.htm
- Texas – Grass Images – Texas A&M University:
http://www.csdl.tamu.edu/FLORA/image/poacr2ba.htm
- The Nature Conservancy – U.S. - Wildland Weeds Photo
Gallery:
http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/photos.html
- Northeastern Area – U.S. - USDA Forest Service - Invasive
Plants:
http://www.na.fs.fed.us/fhp/invasive_plants/
171
U N I T V I – IAS Specimen Collection, Identification, & Preservation at Ports
- Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas - U.S. – Plant Invaders - National
Park Service:
http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/pubs/midatlantic/toc.htm
- Utah - The Weed Web Photo Library:
http://extension.usu.edu/weedweb/photo/PL.htm
- Virginia - Grass Weed Identification Key:
http://whizlab.isis.vt.edu/servlet/wid?table=grasses
- Virginia - Weed Images:
http://www.ppws.vt.edu/~sforza/weeds.html
- Virginia - Weed Identification Guide:
http://ipm.ppws.vt.edu/weedindex.htm
- Wisconsin - Invasive Plants of Northeastern Wisconsin:
http://www.uwgb.edu/biodiversity/herbarium/invasive_species/invasiv
e_plants01.htm
- Los Arboles in Espana: diagnostic images of tree bark:
http://www.arbolesornamentales.com/autor.htm
- Swedish Virtual Flora (Den virtuella floran)
http://linnaeus.nrm.se/flora/
- Weeds Australia - A Great Gateway
http://www.weeds.org.au/index2.html
6.2.2. Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) and Injurious Wildlife ID
Guides, Fact sheets, and other Resources
- Indiana Department of Natural Resources Website with
Numerous ANS ID Fact Sheets:
http://www.in.gov/dnr/invasivespecies/
- U.S. Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force ANS Fact Sheets:
http://www.anstaskforce.gov/education.php
- Minnesota Sea Grant ANS Fact Sheets:
▪ http://www.seagrant.umn.edu/exotics/cards.html
▪ http://www.seagrant.umn.edu/exotics/index.html
172
U N I T V I – IAS Specimen Collection, Identification, & Preservation at Ports
- MN-A Field Guide to Aquatic Exotic Plants and Animals:
http://www.seagrant.umn.edu/exotics/fieldguide.html
- U.S. Sea Grant National Aquatic Nuisance Species
Clearinghouse:
http://www.aquaticinvaders.org/
- Injurious Animals in Florida:
http://sofia.usgs.gov/sfrsf/rooms/species/invasive/intro/
- Invasive Animal Fact Sheets:
http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/animals/main.shtml
6.2.3. Insect and Disease ID Guides, Fact sheets, and other
Resources
- Arizona - Flora and Fauna Image Gallery - University of
Arizona:
http://cals.arizona.edu/extension/azffig/
- FMC Agricultural Products Fact Sheets for Common Insects
and Weeds:
http://cropsolutions.fmc.com/InsectsandWeeds/tabid/869/Default.asp
x
- University of Florida – Introduction to Insect Classification
and Identification:
http://entnemdept.ifas.ufl.edu/choate/insecpdf.htm
- University of Florida – Insect Related Terms and Definitions:
http://entnemdept.ifas.ufl.edu/choate/composite.pdf
- University of California – Insect Pest Fact Sheets:
http://axp.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/selectnewpest.home.html#insect
- University of California – Insects and Diseases of Turfgrass:
http://axp.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/selectnewpest.turfgrass.html#INSEC
TS
- West Virginia University – Diagnostic Keys to Diseases of Fruit
Trees:
http://www.caf.wvu.edu/kearneysville/wvufarm6.html
173
U N I T V I – IAS Specimen Collection, Identification, & Preservation at Ports
- Global Invasive Species Database – Invasive Mammal Fact
Sheets:
http://www.issg.org/database/species/search.asp?sts=sss&st=sss&fr=
1&sn=&rn=&hci=-1&ei=166&x=27&y=4
6.3. Traditional Dichotomous Keys for Identification of
IAS
Traditionally, identification of plants and
animals has been aided by using a
dichotomous key.
A dichotomous key is a
series of successive choices (couplets) that
lead the user to the correct name of an item. A
couplet describes some feature of related
organisms which is compared with the
specimen to be identified (e.g., fruit ovary
position – superior or inferior; leaf margins
smooth or serrated). Once an organism has
been tentatively identified, it is important to
compare the specimen to a more detailed
description to make sure the ID is correct.
Couplet 1. Seeds Round
Seeds Oblong
Soybean
Go to #2
Couplet 2
Navy Beans
Black Beans
Seeds White
Seeds Black
Live Oak (Quercus virginiana)
Photo by Chris Evas.
http://www.forestryimages.org/bro
wse/detail.cfm?imgnum=2128049
6.3.1. Sample Key for Identification of Oak Trees in the Eastern
United States
From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dichotomous_key
1. Leaves usually without teeth or lobes: 2
1. Leaves usually with teeth or lobes: 5
2. Leaves evergreen: 3
2. Leaves not evergreen: 4
174
U N I T V I – IAS Specimen Collection, Identification, & Preservation at Ports
3. Mature plant a large tree — Southern live oak (Quercus
virginiana)
3. Mature plant a small shrub — Dwarf live oak (Quercus
minima)
4. Leaf narrow, about 4-6 times as long as broad — Willow oak
(Quercus phellos)
4. Leaf broad, about 2-3 times as long as broad — Shingle oak
(Quercus imbricaria)
5. Lobes or teeth bristle-tipped: 6
5. Lobes or teeth rounded or blunt-pointed, no bristles: 7
6. Leaves mostly with 3 lobes — Blackjack oak (Quercus
marilandica)
6. Leaves mostly with 7-9 lobes — Northern red oak (Quercus
rubra)
7. Leaves with 5-9 deep lobes — White oak (Quercus alba)
7. Leaves with 21-27 shallow lobes — Swamp chestnut oak
(Quercus prinus)
URLs for oak trees in the sample key:
▪ Southern live oak —
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_live_oak
▪ Dwarf live oak —
http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=233501062
▪ Willow oak — http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willow_oak
▪ Shingle oak — http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shingle_oak
▪ Blackjack oak — http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackjack_oak
▪ Northern red oak —
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_red_oak
▪ White Oak — http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_oak
▪ Swamp chestnut oak —
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swamp_chestnut_oak
175
U N I T V I – IAS Specimen Collection, Identification, & Preservation at Ports
6.4. Overview of Computer Assisted Identification
Tools
Computer assisted ID keys are just like traditional dichotomous keys –
they present mutually exclusive choices in a successive series of
couplets. Here are some online examples of computer assisted ID
tools.
- Arbor Day Foundation – Animated Tree Identification Key:
http://www.arborday.org/trees/wtit/
- Amateur Entomology Society - Online Key to Insect
Identification:
http://www.projects.ex.ac.uk/bugclub/bugid.html
- Earth Life Web Production – Online Key to Identification of
Insect Orders:
http://www.earthlife.net/insects/orders-key.html
- National Herbarium of New South Wales – Plantnet Interactive Dichotomous Key:
(http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/interactive_keys.htm)
Interactive dichotomous keys combine existing dichotomous keys with
multiple entry methods based on a reduced number of simplified
characters. The matrix is scanned for entries matching the data input,
and the dichotomous key is then pruned and reordered to include only
matching taxa.
- University of Toronto – Website for Isolation, Cultivation, and
Identification of Molds (Including Dichotomous and Picture
Keys):
http://www.botany.utoronto.ca/ResearchLabs/MallochLab/Malloch/Mou
lds/Moulds.html
- Virginia Tech - Online Tree Identification Key:
http://www.cnr.vt.edu/DENDRO/DENDROLOGY/idit.htm
- Lucid Online Identification Keys.
http://www.lucidcentral.org/
176
U N I T V I – IAS Specimen Collection, Identification, & Preservation at Ports
Lucid is a flexible and powerful
information management tool
that is specifically designed for
identification and diagnostic
purposes. It permits expert
knowledge to be “cloned” and
distributed to a wide audience
via CD or the Internet. Lucid
identification
keys
are
currently
being used by a wide range of
users,
from
students
to
scientists, and conservation
managers. The Lucid software development team is located at the
Centre for Biological Information Technology (CBIT) at the University
of Queensland, Australia.
- Lucid Key for Federal Noxious Weed Disseminules of the U.S. USDA APHIS Center for Plant Health Science and Technology,
Raleigh, NC.
http://www.lucidcentral.org/keys/v3/FNW/
177
U N I T V I – IAS Specimen Collection, Identification, & Preservation at Ports
6.5. Online Invasive Species Databases
Invasive Species – All Taxa
Germplasm
Resources
Information
Agriculture Research Service):
http://www.ars-grin.gov/
Network
(USDA
- Global Invasive Species Information Network (GISIN):
http://www.gisinetwork.org/index.html
- Global Invasive Species Database (IUCN Invasive Species
Specialist Group – 100 of the World’s Worst Invasive Alien
Species):
http://www.issg.org/database/welcome/
- Harmful Non-Indigenous Species Database:
http://www.hear.org/hnis/index.html
- Invasive Species of the Central Southwest – Gulf Coast Region
- CSWGCIN USGS/NBII:
http://cswgcin.nbii.org/issues/invasives/index.html
- NatureServe Explorer (Online NatureServe Invasive Species
Information System):
http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/
- Integrated Taxonomic Information System (Smithsonian
Institution):
http://www.itis.usda.gov/
- TEKTRAN Invasive Species - Agricultural Research Service:
http://www.itis.usda.gov/
- TEXASINVASIVES.ORG Plants Database:
http://www.texasinvasives.org/Invasives_Database/Invasives.html
Aquatic Nuisance Species
- AquaInvader - Database of Aquatic Invasive Species of
Europe:
http://www.zin.ru/rbic/projects/aquainvader/default.asp
- Aquatic Invasive Species Web Page:
http://seagrant.wisc.edu/ais/
178
U N I T V I – IAS Specimen Collection, Identification, & Preservation at Ports
- Aquatic Plant Information System (U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers):
http://el.erdc.usace.army.mil/aqua/apis/
- Great Lakes Aquatic Nonindigenous Species List:
http://www.glerl.noaa.gov/res/Programs/invasive/
- Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) in the United States
(USGS BRD):
http://www.glerl.noaa.gov/res/Programs/invasive/
Invasive Plants
- Biota of North America Program. (John Kartesz, Chapel Hill,
NC) :
http://www.bonap.org/
- Center for Invasive and Aquatic Plants (University of Florida):
http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu/
- Flora of North American Project:
http://hua.huh.harvard.edu/FNA/
- Invaders Database System (University of Montana, Missoula):
http://invader.dbs.umt.edu/
- Invasive Plants of the Thirteen Southern States:
http://www.invasive.org/seweeds.cfm?sort=2
- Invasive Plant Images and Information (Bugwood, University
of Georgia):
http://www.invasive.org/weeds.cfm
- Southwest Exotic Plant Mapping Program (USGS
Flagstaff, AZ):
http://www.usgs.nau.edu/SWEPIC/swemp/swempA.asp
BRD,
- USDA Plants Database (USDA NRCS, Scott Peterson):
http://www.plants.usda.gov/
- Invasive Plant Atlas of New England (Les Mehrhoff, University
of CT):
http://invasives.eeb.uconn.edu/ipane/
179
U N I T V I – IAS Specimen Collection, Identification, & Preservation at Ports
- The Nature Conservancy Invasive Plant Documents and
Photographs:
http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/esadocs.html
- The Nature Conservancy’s Weed Information Management
System:
http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/wims.html
- TNC Link to Rod Randall’s Global Compendium of Weeds
(Western Australia Department of Agriculture):
http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/biglist.html
Insects and Diseases
- Exotic Forest Pest Information System for North America (5):
http://www.spfnic.fs.fed.us/exfor/index.cfm
- U.S. Great Plains Diagnostic Network (CSREES):
http://www.gpdn.org/DesktopDefault.aspx
- U.S. National Plant Diagnostic Network (CSREES – Plant and
Animals Diseases):
http://www.npdn.org/DesktopDefault.aspx
Plant Quarantine Information Systems
- EPPO Plant Quarantine Data Retrieval System (PQR):
http://www.eppo.org/PUBLICATIONS/pqr/pqr.htm
- National Agricultural Pest Information System ( NAPIS )
PestTracker (USDA APHIS and Purdue University):
http://ceris.purdue.edu/napis/index.html
– University of California-Davis - Pest Management
Identification:
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/crops-agriculture.html
6.6. DNA Bar Coding – The Barcode of Life Project
The Consortium for the Barcode
of Life (CBOL)* is a global
initiative that is devoted to the
development of DNA barcoding
180
and
U N I T V I – IAS Specimen Collection, Identification, & Preservation at Ports
as a global standard in taxonomy. CBOL has more than 130 member
organizations** in over 40 countries. Some of the members include
natural history museums, Zoos, Herbaria, Botanical Gardens,
Universities, Biodiversity Organizations, Governmental Agencies,
NGOs, and Private Biotech Companies. The goal of the project is to
provide a practical method for rapid identification of the estimated 10
million species of life on Earth.
*Link to the Consortium for the Bar Code of Life Project:
http://www.barcoding.si.edu/
**Link to CBOL Member Organizations
http://www.barcoding.si.edu/CBOLMembers_details.htm
Ultimately, the project will:
1) Facilitate species identification:
- Enable non-taxonomists (e.g., * Border Clearance Inspectors,
Ecological Researchers, Conservation Enforcement Agencies, and
a range of Regulatory Bodies) to identify unknown specimens,
especially where specimens defy identification using tradition
characters (e.g., immature stages, partial or damaged
specimens, processed food/medicinal products)
- Provide taxonomists with a near-universal, calibrated character
that can be used to show the how closely related different
species are.
- Flag specimens that may represent new species.
2.) Encourage development of new technologies for DNA analysis
(faster, better, cheaper, and usable in field biology), and,
3.) Provide more insight into the evolutionary history of life.
DNA Barcoding. DNA Barcoding is a technique that uses a short
gene sequence from a standardized region of the genome (Genetic
Map of a Species) as a diagnostic ‘biomarker for each species being
identified. Cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) is proving effective as the
barcode region for most, but not all, eukaryotic animal groups.
Barcode regions other than COI will be needed for certain animal
groups and for most plants.
Molecular and gene sequence markers have been used in taxonomy for
decades, and DNA barcoding is an extension and refinement of that
practice. DNA barcoding is standardizing, formalizing, and expanding
181
U N I T V I – IAS Specimen Collection, Identification, & Preservation at Ports
this approach and promoting it as a global standard for species
identification.
First International Barcoding Conference and Development of
International Barcoding Networks.
In February, 2005, 220
participants from 44 countries gathered at the Natural History
Museum, in London, England, for the first International Barcode
Conference. Following the London conference
(URL: http://barcoding.si.edu/ConferencePresentations.htm), several
barcoding groups started to self organize. Two of these groups
include:
- The International Network for Barcoding of Endangered
Vertebrates (INBEV) is dedicated to the conservation of
vertebrates, and especially primates and other mammals that are
being hunted for bush meat. Participants hope that barcoding will
provide an enforcement tool for protection laws, and for controlling
the trafficking in products made from protected species.
(URL: http://barcoding.si.edu/VertebrateConservation.htm).
- The International Network for Barcoding Invasive and Pest
Species (INBIPS)
(URL: http://barcoding.si.edu/INBIPS.htm) . INBIPS is an informal
network on invasive and pest species that will act as:
▪ A clearinghouse a clearinghouse of information concerning
organizations, initiatives, and species lists concerned with
invasive and pest species,
▪ A forum for interactions among initiatives on invasive and
pest species, and
▪ A catalyst for the formation of barcoding projects on
invasive and pest species.
182
U N I T V I – IAS Specimen Collection, Identification, & Preservation at Ports
Session 2. Port Identification Reference
Collection
6.7. Development of a Port IAS Identification
Reference Collection
The Port ID Collection is a permanent record of all the IAS that have
been collected from the port environmens by border clearance
inspectors through the years. It is a valuable asset for prioritizing
inspections by identifying trends in the movement of pests associated
with particular commodities from certain countries. After working for
5-10 years, a port inspector can look through the Port ID Collection,
and take pride in the IAS that he or she has stopped at the port of
entry. Many interceptions will bring back memories of interesting
people and unusual shipments that have been encountered along the
way.
6.8. Plant Specimen Collection and Preservation
Generally speaking, plant collections are important for several reasons.
1. Voucher specimens document the occurrence of a species at a
particular time, in a particular location.
2. Herbarium specimens permit verification of a species in a
particular area without additional field work.
3. The best way to identify a plant is to collect specimens and
identify them in a lab with all the tools and resources at hand.
4. Repeated collections of plants over time add to scientific
knowledge by monitoring the health of a region or habitat.
5. The work of field professionals is made available to a wide
audience through specimens that are maintained in an
herbarium – for hundreds of years to come.
A vascular plant collection is a valuable asset in every port of entry.
Every port should maintain a collection of invasive plants and seeds
that they regulate, and that are of concern in their particular country
or region. This will permit border clearance officials to become familiar
with species of concern that they may encounter in the border
clearance process.
183
U N I T V I – IAS Specimen Collection, Identification, & Preservation at Ports
General Plant Collection Guidelines and Tips
Obtain permission from the land owner before collecting
specimens.
When collecting above ground parts, leave some leaves or stems
intact to help the plant recover.
Collect only above ground plant parts unless the roots are
needed for identification.
Limit the number of plants collected.
Collect plants discriminately, and in small quantities – even from
large populations.
Disturb as little soil as possible.
Use plastic bags to transport collected specimens from the field.
Enclose a wet paper towel in the bag to help keep the plants
from drying out. Protect the bag from direct sun and heat.
For each specimen, take notes on the location, growing site, and
habitat. After the plant is dry, label each specimen with this
information, along with your name and the collection date.
Plant pressing is done to remove all moisture from the plant.
Drying is best done with a standard plant press. If a plant press
is not available, a large phone book will work for most plant
specimens.
If possible, press and dry the plants the same day they are
collected. If not, store the bag in a refrigerator or cool place
overnight.
Sometimes, plant parts such as fruits, leaves, or stems will be found
hitchhiking on imported commodities. However, the
most frequently intercepted plant part is seeds. In
the port of entry, an inspector should collect as
many seed contaminants as possible, to help
facilitate a correct identification.
Dried plant specimens of concern at a port of entry
should be mounted on standard herbarium paper,
and labeled with the scientific name, date and place
of collection, the collection number, and the
collector’s name. Mounted plant specimens should
be maintained in a closed cabinet. A drying agent
http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/resear
should be used to minimize moisture and growth ch_and_conservation/plant_identi
fications/voucher_specimens
of mold and mildew in the cabinet.
184
U N I T V I – IAS Specimen Collection, Identification, & Preservation at Ports
Additional Information:
- Royal Botanic Garden Melbourne - Herbarium Specimens
URL:
http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/research_and_conservation/plant_identifica
tions/voucher_specimens
Seeds of plants of concern at a port of
entry should be maintained in sealed
glass or plastic vials or bottles, in a
specimen cabinet or filing cabinet
drawer.
Each seed vial should be
labeled with the scientific name, date
and place of collection, collection
number, and the collector’s name.
Seed Collection Specimens
Randy Westbrooks, Whiteville, North
Carolina
[email protected]
6.9. Insect Specimen Collection
and Preservation
Newly collected insect larvae and pupae
should be boiled in water for a short period
of time in order to set the proteins and avoid
discoloration. Once the larvae and pupae
have been prepared, they may be stored
indefinitely in 95% alcohol in glass or plastic
vials. Adult specimens should be stored in
vials or mounted with pins in a display
drawer. Specimens should be arranged by
taxonomic order, family, genus, and species,
for ease of comparison and future reference.
Cactus Moth Larvae (Cactoblastis
cactorum) Randy Westbrooks,
Whiteville, North Carolina
[email protected]
185
U N I T V I – IAS Specimen Collection, Identification, & Preservation at Ports
6.10. Plant and Animal Disease
Specimen Collection and Preservation
Some of the more common diseases of concern
may be maintained in sealed containers at a port
of entry.
However, due to the difficulty of
maintaining and containing disease specimens, it
is generally advisable to maintain a good photo
collection of specific plant and animal diseases
of concern.
Orange with Citrus Black Spot
Disease
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/EDISImag
ePage?imageID=293211996&dlN
umber=PP135&tag=FIGURE%201
6.11. Aquatic Nuisance Species
Digital photography is generally regarded
as an acceptable method for vouchering
fish specimens and most invertebrate
aquatic nuisance species.
However,
immature fishes of all species, certain
minnows need to be collected and properly
preserved
in
alcohol
for
accurate
identification. Bivalves such as Zebra and
Quagga Mussel can be maintained as dried
specimens.
Zebra Mussel on Native Clam.
http://www.forestryimages.org/image
s/768x512/1299199.jpg
6.12. Injurious Wildlife,
Amphibians, and Reptiles
Photographs
and
digital
images
are
generally regarded as the preferred options
for vouchering of most terrestrial vertebrate
animals (mammals, amphibians, reptiles).
However, mounted specimens resulting
from traps or road kills make excellent office
displays, and are very valuable for public
outreach,
training,
and
identification
purposes.
186
Nutria (Myocaster coypus). Randy
Westbrooks, Whiteville, North Carolina
[email protected]
U N I T V I – IAS Specimen Collection, Identification, & Preservation at Ports
Unit VI. Major Concepts
1. Pest interceptions represent physical evidence that an imported
commodity is infested and must be treated or cleaned in some
way as a condition of entry.
2. The port interception record is a permanent record that shows
trends in IAS introductions and helps to prioritize cargo
inspection.
3. After collection, IAS specimens should be maintained in good
condition until they can be processed and preserved.
4. IAS specimen ID resources include flora and fauna manuals, as
well as online dichotomous keys.
5. A dichotomous key is a series of descriptive couplets that lead a
user to the identification of a specimen.
6. Every IAS border clearance agency should maintain a collection
(actual specimens or photos) of high priority IAS that they
regulate and typically intercept. This includes plants (herbarium
specimens, seeds), insects, diseases, aquatic nuisance species,
and injurious wildlife.
187
U N I T V I – IAS Specimen Collection, Identification, & Preservation at Ports
Unit VI. Lab Exercises
1. Identification of Plants Using a Dichotomous Key
Use a dichotomous key to identify the following five different plants.
B
A
C
A. ______________ B. ______________ C. ______________
E
D
D. ____________________ E. ____________________
1.
1.
2.
2.
3.
Terrestrial Herbaceous Plant
Aquatic or Wetland Plant
Flowers Red
Flowers Yellow
Perennial Floating Herb or
Wetland Herb with Lavender
Flowers
3. Annual Floating Fern
4. Floating Herb
4. Wetland Herb
Go to 2
Go to 3
Poppy
Sunflower
Go to 4
Giant Salvinia
Water Hyacinth
Purple Loosestrife
188
U N I T V I – IAS Specimen Collection, Identification, & Preservation at Ports
2. Specimen Preservation
Divide the class up into groups.
Have each group prepare and
preserve one of the following types of specimens – a plant, an insect
or disease, an aquatic nuisance species, or an injurious animal.
Source list for Images in Unit VI Lab Exercise
1. Poppy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poppy
2. Sunflower:
http://pdphoto.org/PictureDetail.php?mat=pdef&pg=5355
3. Water Hyacinth:
http://www.invasive.org/eastern/species/3020.html Josh
Hillman - FloridaNature.org
4. Water Hyacinth:
http://www.invasive.org/eastern/species/3020.html Ted D.
Center, USDA ARS
5. Purple Loosestrife Flower:
http://www.invasive.org/browse/detail.cfm?imgnum=0024065
Norman E. Rees, USDA Agricultural Research Service, United
States
6. Purple Loosestrife:
http://www.invasive.org/browse/subject.cfm?sub=3047 Norman
E. Rees, USDA Agricultural Research Service
7. Giant Salvinia Habitat:
Randy G. Westbrooks. Whiteville, North Carolina, USA.
[email protected].
8. Giant Salvinia, Closeup:
Randy G. Westbrooks. Whiteville, North Carolina, USA.
[email protected].
189
U N I T V I – IAS Specimen Collection, Identification, & Preservation at Ports
190