Loans & Data Requests
Specimen loans are available to qualified researchers. Loans are generally made for a period of one year, renewable upon request. To request a loan or data, please contact Alison Stodola or Rachel Vinsel.
All borrowers must adhere to the INHS Mollusk Collection loan policy:
Illinois Natural History Survey – Mollusk Collection Specimen Loan Policy and Procedures
The Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS) Mollusk Collection supports scientific research by providing access to its specimens through loans to qualified researchers and institutions. Loans are subject to the policies outlined below, and INHS reserves the right to deny or limit loans at its discretion.
1. Eligibility and Loan Requests
Requests must be submitted in writing to the INHS Mollusk Collection. Requests should include:
- A detailed description of the proposed research.
- Taxonomic scope, number of specimens, specific taxa/geographic area, and justification for use.
- For destructive sampling (e.g., dissection, DNA extraction), see Section 5.
2. Loan Conditions
- All specimens remain the property of INHS and must be returned upon request.
- Loans are typically issued for 6 months, with possible extension upon request.
- Loans may be recalled at any time.
- Do not transfer specimens to others without INHS written permission.
3. Shipping and Packaging
- Specimens will be packaged by INHS staff using best practices to prevent damage.
- Inspect shipments upon receipt and report issues to INHS within 5 business days.
- Return specimens in the same condition in which they were loaned, along with any generated data (e.g., revised identifications, taxonomic notes).
4. Care and Handling of Specimens
- All original labels must remain with the specimens. Any re-labeling must be approved.
- Specimens must be stored under appropriate environmental conditions and handled with care.
- Wet specimens must be kept in the same preservative they were received in.
- Dry specimens should be stored in secure, pest-free conditions.
- No alterations (e.g., re-mounting, cleaning, or dissection) are permitted without prior approval.
5. Destructive Sampling and Genetic Use
- Destructive sampling, including dissection, SEM preparation, or DNA extraction, requires explicit written permission from INHS prior to use.
- No part or by-product of the specimens will be transferred to a third party or commercial entity.
- Sequences obtained from INHS tissue samples should be deposited in GenBank or other public genetic databases after the research has been published.
- Unless tissue samples are gifted, any specimen portions that remain after analysis should be returned to INHS.
6. Acknowledgment and Citation
- Publications or presentations must acknowledge the INHS Mollusk Collection.
- Authors must send digital copies of publications using INHS material to INHS.
7. Non-Compliance
Failure to comply with loan policies may result in the suspension of borrowing privileges for the individual or their institution and may require the immediate return of all outstanding loans.
Details of INHS Biological Collection policies may be seen here.