Recently I was lucky to get hold of a shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus) head. It's a small individual, but I was very happy about it since I've been looking for this species for a long time. Since I got it during this year's comparative anatomy practicums, I also used the opportunity to bring it to the lab, which was a lot of fun. I then did the rough part of the cleaning process when the course was over.
Speaking about chondrichthyan jaw suspension.
The cleaned skull during the whitening process.
It's been a while since I macerated anything, but I kind of forgot several specimens in the maceration tanks which are now piling up and waiting to be degreased.
Various mammal and reptile skulls waiting to be degreased.
Still in the fish department, I was also able to get a couple of really cool-but tiny heads. Without the complete body it's hard to be sure but those are probably some kind of barbelled dragonfish (most probably in the genus Stomia). They are not in very good shape and have been kept in ethanol for a while but I'm currently in the process of cleaning the skull, more on that when I'm done with them.
Barbelled dragonfish head (Stomias sp.). Awesome little critter.
I've also been skinning and drying a couple of specimens for beetle work. We have some cool facilities at the lab to dry sediments that turned out to be very useful to dry critters as well.
Blue dot grouper (Cephalopolis taeniops). Found this one at the local fish store and ate it before saving the skeleton. Very tasty, and beautiful fish that should make a nice little skeleton.
Couple of captive bred herps, a python and chameleon. It was the first time I dissected one of these and they have a fantastic anatomy. Really looking forward to work with the skeleton of this one.
And finally, still playing around with clearing and staining specimens. Still have to get better at this, but I recently completed a batch of snakes so thought I would share a pic. Hopefully I will soon have other cool cleared specimens to show. And special thanks to a friend at the lab who gave me a hand skinning all these, and more :)
Cleared and stained cornsnakes (Pantherophis guttatus) and hognoses (Heterodon nasicus).
