THE EFFECTS OF SIZE AND MIGRATORY STATUS ON AVIAN SPECIMEN PRESERVATION VIA LYOPHILIZATION

Authors

Catherine M. Cook*, University of North Georgia, Oakwood, GA 30566Follow
Madison M. Miller*, University of North Georgia, Oakwood, GA 30566Follow
Gabriel J. Rodriguez*, University of North Georgia, Oakwood, GA 30566Follow
Hasten J. Veal*, University of North Georgia, Oakwood, GA 30566Follow
Dawn E. Drumtra, University of North Georgia, Oakwood, GA 30566Follow

Abstract

Preserved animal specimens are important learning tools for biology students. Unfortunately, creating a teaching collection by traditional means such as skinning and stuffing is time-consuming and requires a great deal of expertise. Freeze-drying animal specimens is much quicker and easier to learn than other methods. In our study, we investigated whether the size or migratory status of avian specimens impacted their ability to freeze-dry. A successful freeze-dry attempt was determined by a lack of foul odor and substantial weight loss. Our birds were donated by Birds Georgia, Project Safe Flight which collects birds that died due to collisions with skyscrapers in the Atlanta, Georgia area. We preserved 208 birds via freeze-drying, 190 of which were deemed successful. Initial specimen condition had the greatest impact on successful preservation. Body mass of our specimens ranged from 1.3g – 162g and overall, specimens lost between 18-80% of their initial body weight. Within these birds, we found no correlation between the initial mass of the bird and successful preservation. We have not, however, examined the preservation of larger birds using freeze-drying. We did discover that the migratory status of the bird had an impact on successful freeze-drying. Through migrants (birds that traveled through the Atlanta area during the fall and spring) lost significantly less weight than birds who only breed in Georgia, those that only spend winter here, or those that reside here year-round. Overall, we found that while avian specimen size (for small and medium birds) was not correlated to freeze-dry success, the migratory category did have an impact.

Recommended Citation

Cook*, Catherine M.; Miller*, Madison M.; Rodriguez*, Gabriel J.; Veal*, Hasten J.; and Drumtra, Dawn E. (2024) "THE EFFECTS OF SIZE AND MIGRATORY STATUS ON AVIAN SPECIMEN PRESERVATION VIA LYOPHILIZATION," Georgia Journal of Science, Vol. 82, No. 1, Article 31.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.gaacademy.org/gjs/vol82/iss1/31