Extracting polydorids

[Dr. Julie Brock]

    Hi, If not fussy about dead or alive, formalin fixation of 
coralline material is one way to go. Worms are a bit tougher and less 
likely to fall apart when pushing and chipping them from the rock. 
For quantitative estimate of substrate content can acid dissolve from 
fixed substrate and then sort and count them. 4 percent nitric acid 
in the formalin solution (ie 4 of acid in 96 dilute formalin) with some 
agitation or stirring of small to moderate size rubble (surface to 
vol is important if you want it to dissolve fairly fast). Use a nytex 
mesh over the pvc plastic pipe as container so solution can 
penetrate. Or we do small samples in plastic food containers 
keep covered and swirl and add fresh solution when dissolution 
slows. Rinse dissolved out worms onto a sieve and store in 70 
percent ethanol. Once student has a feel for the pickled worms it may 
be easier to work with the live. See Brock,R. and J.Brock 1977 
Limnology and Oceanography vol 22 (5) 948-951. A method for 
quantitatively assessing the infaunal community in coral rock. 
Somehow true borers are reluctant to leave the burrow and usually die 
in it, while nestlers will oblige when the oxygen runs low. Kohn did 
the chip method with much patience on preserved substrate.  Aloha and 
thanks for your input on the Hesionura ???? Julie Brock

<BROCK at zoogate.zoo.hawaii.edu>

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