Specimen Types and Characteristics
Definition of the specimen.
Research materials collected
from an organism part or in whole,
and treated for permanent preservation
Basic units for understanding the history and current situation of the natural world that serve as evidence for the history of evolution and as standard for life sciences
Types of Marine Life Specimens
Research Specimens vs Exhibition Specimens
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Purpose of use
Phylogenetic research, species preservation, genetic resource
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Form
Spirit, dry and slide specimens
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Production process
Secure sample → Pretreatment (classification) → Identification → Preservation treatment → Storage
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Purpose of use
Education & learning
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Form
Taxidermied, skeletal and plastination specimens
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Production process
Secure sample → Pretreatment (appearance intact) → Identification → Shape reproduction (coloring, preservative treatment, etc.) → On-site installation
Types of specimens at MABIK
50~70% ethanol is used to preserve the external appearance of the specimens
Use of standard glass containers, vertebrates, invertebrates, etc.
Most widely used specimen production method, in which marine organisms are dried to prevent decomposition and discoloration
Marine plants, specimens for exhibitions (e.g. crustaceans, shellfish), etc.
Taxidermied specimens are produced to preserve the external appearance of vertebrates including mammals and birds
This type of specimens is produced to preserve the skeletal structure. The bones are separated for storage or put together into their original structure.
Tissue slices of algae, plankton and invertebrates that are difficult to observe with the naked eye are made for observations under microscope
Parts of the organisms (tissues) or their DNAs are extracted and stored at super-low temperatures below –70℃.