A modified S10B silicone plastination method for preparation and preservation of scaled reptile specimens

Abstract

© 2017, Chartered Inst. of Building Services Engineers. All rights reserved. Preparation and long-time preservation of reptile specimens need a meticulous work. Plastination is a convenient method to create real-like and durable specimens. However, the basic steps of silicone plastination should be changed or modified depending on the anatomical or histological features of the reptile species. Various species of scaled reptiles were plastinated for this research. The aim of this study was to evaluate the silicone plastination of scaled reptiles in a detailed manner and to create a fast but convenient protocol to obtain useful plastinates. Final products have revealed that padding with the acetone resistant and quick drying polymers before the fixation step was quite effective to provide a better anatomic form and position especially in hollow structures. Proper use of polyethylene glycol may help researchers to prevent superficial drying and adhesion of excess polymers and to inhibit the mould growth during the fixation stage. It is considered that preparation of reptile specimens with this modified plastination method will be efficacious for practical teaching of reptiles.