Propositions for first notes in connection with a carcass found
List with propositions what might be important to note. Based on Rabinowitz et al. (2000), propositions from other authors added

First general records concerning the specimen (propositions)

Found, brought, collected by ...

Notes by ...

Person(s) who found, brought the specimen

The circumstances in which the specimen was obtained (Rabinowitz et al., 2000).

Examined by ...
    Also present during examination ... (Schoon, lecture manuscript).

A unique collection number (field number) for the specimen or sample in the collector's series, noted both on the label and in the field book (Rabinowitz et al., 2000).
    If the specimen is supposed to become part of a museum, a blank space for the museum specimen ID / number known only later is useful (Nagorsen, Peterson 1980).
    Information for retrieval of the catalogue(s) in which data are permanently documented
    A unique case number for the necropsy or case which should be noted on the protocol and on the labels of the samples (Wobeser, Spraker, 1980).

Nature of the specimen(s) (Schoon, lecture manuscript)

Animal(s): Information about the genus, species, local names and other data of the animal examined as far as known (Rabinowitz et al., 2000).
Why is the animal considered to belong to the taxon? (Correctness of the taxonomic name of course depends on the state of taxonomic knowledge. Therefore, many museum specimens collected before development of actual taxonomy may be suspected to be mislabelled).

Identification of individual: recognition marks, individual characteristics.

Time, date of collection (Rabinowitz et al., 2000)
    The time of day may also be useful (one of us: C. Groves).

Time, place of dissection / other examination (Schoon, lecture manuscript)

Information available from person(s) who found, brought the specimen;
    earlier history as far as known (compare with first aid chapter). Data concerning life history, etiology = cause of observed pathological changes (as far as known) (Schoon, lecture manuscript);
    significant behaviour observed earlier (Rabinowitz et al., 2000).
    In case of captive care of wildcaught animals: in addition the date of capture / removal from natural habitat (Ansell (1965).

Time, circumstances of death, cause of death (if known) (Schoon, lecture manuscript). See also below: environmental conditions which may have lead to the death of animal(s)

Preliminary questions for later examination (Schoon, lecture manuscript).

Any other information which might be of interest.

All preservation methods (in the field and later in the laboratory) should be noted. In skins or mounted specimens preserved with methods possibly changing hair colour, treatment and a remark about limited reliability of colours must be noted on labels (Downing, 1945), see chapter about preparation of museum skins.
    Storage: method(s), date / duration of storage with this method (blank space for later entry of duration, if necessary)

Literature references where to find further useful information, when necessar, later also noted in the catalogue (Nagorsen, Peterson 1980).

Permission to use / quote noted data for conservation purposes (permission to whom?), publication? If so: reference. (US TAG-website, Porton, undated, seen 2002)

Locality- and environment-related information

Locality: must be traceable, including place names likely to be on published maps, coordinates (latitude and longitude to the nearest minute) and / or a map of the site if possible (Ansell, 1965; Nagorsen, Peterson 1980).

Taxonomically incorrect identification of specimens may easily occur for instance in lorises, which are only distinguished by minor differences with features sometimes overlapping. Comparison of specimens locality by locality may be most useful (one of us: C. Groves), and considering additional information about the habitat in which the animal / specimen has been found may also help. Therefore, such information may be even more important than taxonomic names

Ecological information for the local population (Nagorsen, Peterson 1980):
    biome (for instance rain forest, desert)
    found in habitat: for instance:
    Forest / woodland / open;
    Primary / Secondary;
    Forest edge / deep forest
    Arid / seasonal / humid;
                (US TAG, Porton, undated, seen 2002)
    Dominant / prevalent types of plants, with scientific names if possible
    History of the area such as earlier deforestation, fires; more recent habitat changes

Altitude of locality above sea level (one of us: C. Groves); elevation can be estimated from topographic maps or with a pocket altimeter (Nagorsen, Peterson 1980)

Soil type or geological formations may also be meaningful (Nagorsen, Peterson 1980)

Climate, weather, annual season
    Ambient temperature (one of us: C. Groves)

Carcass found on / in which substrate, plant species or part of environment,
    found on the ground, in tree (hanging / lying?), in water? (Schoon, lecture manuscript)

Circumstances of death? Environmental conditions which may have led to the death of animal(s), recent weather conditions, drought, floods, electrical storm, etc. (Munson, 2000), anything indicating a possible cause of disease or death like evidence for a road kill (Rabinowitz et al., 2000), accident, signs of struggle, bite wounds or other signs of predation, traces of predators? Traps, snares, chemicals found in the environment, other possible causes of death?

Behavioural / ecological observations made in other animals in the same locality (Nagorsen, Peterson 1980)

Additional samples collected, faeces, other samples from the environment which may for instance contain food, toxins

Carcass itself: externally visible features

Complete / only parts found (Schoon, lecture manuscript)

Carcass: for instance lying on the back, side, posture (Schoon, lecture manuscript)

Weight (for approximate weight data: addition of “ca.”. Notes concerning causes why this is probably not live weight (see also below: parts missing, signs of evaporation leading to loss of weight, fur wet or dirty, other)

Standards for measuring and describing lorises and pottos
Form sheet for taxonomic measuring and describing specimens
Form sheet for skull measurements

Dead specimens may be fresh or relaxed in putrefecation, rigid with rigor mortis or slightly shrunken because of evaporation, making measurements in general, but particularly measurements over joints inexact. (Sumner 1927). Live animals probably struggle, in anesthetized animals regular seizure-like muscle contractions occur (B. Meier, pers. comm.). If body measurements are taken for taxonomic purposes, it may therefore be useful to note such condition of the animal or carcass.

Hair: condition? Dirty / wet? hair missing? Signs of natural seasonal or age-related moult?

Age

Sex

External signs of reproductive status; genitalia

Males: testes scrotal or inguinal, testes size, scrotal skin patterns, other observation (secretion)
Females: Conditon of the vagina: open, closed, sealed by a skin? A sealed vaginal cleft may occur in juvenile females and in seasonal breeders at certain times of the year, with the vaginal opening closed by a membrane which may look like normal skin with vaginal opening absent (Nagorsen, Peterson, 1980; observation at Ruhr-University). Signs of estrus such as swollen and reddened rims of vaginal opening? (See figure). Signs of pregnancy? Mammary glands: signs of lactation? Nipples looking used? (Nagorsen, Peterson 1980)
Offspring: babies / infants clinging to the adult found, babies / infants found parked in the proximity

External signs of disease, wounds (Rabinowitz et al., 2000)

Sample collection details (Rabinowitz et al., 2000)

Earlier history as far as known (compare first aid chapter)

Any other information about the animal itself, its environment, other data which might be of interest in connection with the purpose of sampling, such as details of the location where it was found (e.g., habitat type, habitat changes or significant behaviour observed (Rabinowitz et al., 2000).

Photographic record:
Photos of specimens and site are a useful way to supplement documentation. For instance close-up photos of the facial region may supplement preserved specimens in which parts may shrink or be altered by preservation / mounting. (Nagorsen, Peterson 1980). More information.
 

Field report of wildlife death: additional notes a copy of which should be sent to appropriate local or national governmental personnel in case of evidence of a possible epidemic
(based on Munson 2000, slightly modified)

Date
Person reporting
Affiliation: Address
Telephone number / Fax / E-mail
Species affected
Age / Sex
Number affected
Clinical signs noted before death
Clinical signs noted in carcasses
Other species in the region / number affected
Location where carcass(es) were found
Environmental conditions
Other information / observations

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In: Loris and potto conservation database: field methods  http://www.species.net/primates/loris.

Last amendment: 7 November 2002