Shrinkage of Sea Lamprey Larvae Preserved in Formalin

Abstract

Abstract Larval sea lampreys Petromyzon marinus Shrank Significantly in length after being fixed and preserved in 5 or 10% formalin. Most Shrinkage was within 2 h. The average shrinkage for 100-mm larvae was 3.8% in 5% formalin and 4.3% in 10% formalin. A Single correction factor was not appropriate with either formalin concentration for correcting lengths of all sizes of preserved larvae because the percent Shrinkage was not the Same at all lengths. Instead, regression equations are recommended to correct lengths of preserved larvae.