摘要
A new technique, involving tool making, clearing, staining, cutting and mounting specimens on slides, was described for studying Collembola taxonomy. It could resolve the problem of observing Collembola glass specimens under standard optical microscopy, because the phase-contrast microscope has not been available for all researchers. A type of micro cutting probe （about 1 μm in tip diameter） was designed, and it made the cutting method go from two-handed to one-handed, which was a huge step forward in the cutting method of Collembola. The micro cutting probe was custom designed for Collembola using two electric grinders, followed by ferric tannate staining with a stable blue color, mounting in specialized solutions and sealing with a neutral quick-drying gum. We also described a method to make glass capillary extractor and glass capillary brush to make sure a better condition of cleared specimens.
A new technique, involving tool making, clearing, staining, cutting and mounting specimens on slides, was described for studying Collembola taxonomy. It could resolve the problem of observing Collembola glass specimens under standard optical microscopy, because the phase-contrast microscope has not been available for all researchers. A type of micro cutting probe （about 1 μm in tip diameter） was designed, and it made the cutting method go from two-handed to one-handed, which was a huge step forward in the cutting method of Collembola. The micro cutting probe was custom designed for Collembola using two electric grinders, followed by ferric tannate staining with a stable blue color, mounting in specialized solutions and sealing with a neutral quick-drying gum. We also described a method to make glass capillary extractor and glass capillary brush to make sure a better condition of cleared specimens.
