I am a graduate student at TCU working on a genetics project concerning white and black crappie, the genetic diversity in their populations, and the amount of hybridization that occurs between the two. The good people at bigcrappie.com helped me with tissue samples from Cedar Creek, and now I would like to compare the population structures between the two lakes.

I need a small portion of the tail fin from about fifty different fish and ideally an even mix of black and white crappie. If you are going to be fishing over the next couple of days and could save the tail fins, or a portion of them I could come collect them Friday or Saturday afternoon, or meet you when you are cleaning them.

You can contact me at james.d.hill@tcu.edu or PM me on here to set something up.

Thanks!

What is the best way to save, preserve and maintain the integrity of the tissue for your sampling program?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Jeff

^^^
Great question...

hmmmmm freeze em ....maybe ....possibly dry ice ....?
i know when they wuz collecting songbirds at our place years ago
for sum kinda dna diversity thing ....
they had them sum kinda federal permits and ....
they packed em in saw dust and dry ice
for the long ride back to the university in nevada

I happened to be on the dock at bigcrappie when this guy came by. He was clipping the samples from the tails and placing them in a plain letter envelope. I would imagine if you then place them in a freezer then they would maintain the integrity.

Great question. CissyShack is correct, what I do is clip them and place them in an envelope to dry.

Sitting on ice would probably be best, but for a day or two any closed container would work. Their fins do not degrade as fast as if I needed a muscle or liver sample. People have done similar studies from scales of preserved specimens in museums that were decades old.

One thing that would be beneficial is to have black and white tail clippings seperate, they could just be put in different plastic sacks

Thanks again

I know you have a busy schedule but I think you are missing out a bit. Imagine telling folks that you are working and working hard on an important scientific research project. And there you would be, fishing, first on Cedar Creek and then on Fork. It would be a tough job.

Think it over, maybe convince someone to help fund your field research. Hope you get the samples soon!

I'm fairly certain, i could enjoy some of that important scientific field research...hmm, now if I could just remember where to sign up for that research grant money!!!!

I will be on Fork Mon thru Thur next week. If there is some grant money to help with gas, food, bait, etc,I will be more than happy to participate:) Seriously, I would be glad to help out, but I see where you are wanting them Fri or Sat. If You can come over later I will be glad to keep some, providing I catch some to keep.
Joe,cell 940-631-4241