The Suitability of Various Mounting Media for Permanent Mounts of Small Chitinous Crustaceans, With Special Reference To the Observation of Integumental Organs

Abstract

A variety of mounting techniques has been tested, ultimately aimed at preparing permanent, multi-purpose mounts of (parts of) the exoskeletons of calanoid copepods. Thus, three clearing techniques, two staining methods, various other pretreatments, and eight mounting media can now be discussed, and the results evaluated. It is concluded that clearing specimens in lactic acid, without staining, yields the best possible objects. These are then put into position in drying polyvinyl lactophenol and next mounted by immersion in the same medium. The techniques are described in detail.