Attempts to fixing of the ctenophores were very much. Until recently the fixing substances used to preserve of ctenophores were complex in composition and they could not keep samples for a long time. Еhe first experiments on the fixation of the сaspian ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi also have been unsuccessful.
For the first time the attempt to fixing the Mnemiopsis leidyi in cognac was successful. However, because of the high cost the cognac cannot be used to fixing large numbers of samples of ctenophore.
Researches on preservation of Mnemiopsis have been conducted in alcohol tinctures of various plants - chamomile, celandine, calendula, oregano, etc . However Mnemiopsis isn´t fixed in alcohol tinctures of these plants.
The further researches have shown that the Mnemiopsis can be fixed in alcohol tincture of an oak bark and in alcohol tincture of tea leaves (black and green).
The cognac, oak bark and tea leaves contain large amounts of tanning substances. Therefore, it has been assumed that Mnemiopsis can also be kept in alcohol tinctures of other plants containing the big percent of tanning substances.
In an eucalyptus bark contains twice as much tanning substances than in the oak bark. Therefore experiments on preservation of mnemiopsis in alcohol tincture of an eucalyptus bark have been carried out. Researchers have shown that Mnemiopsis leidyi is well kept in alcohol tincture of an eucalyptus bark.
On the basis of these researches it is possible to draw a conclusion that the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi can be fixed in alcohol tinctures of other plants containing the big percent of tannins. There are a lot of such plants.
Also it is possible to assume, that other ctenophores can be stored in alcohol tinctures of plants containing tannins. The fixation of offish caught Mnemiopsis leidyi and other ctenophores will promote their to the best studying
We hope that there will be exhibited not only Mnemiopsis, but also other ctenophores in museums shortly.
The work is submitted to the International Scientific Conference «Fundamental research», Israel (Tel Aviv), October 16-23, 2011, came to the editorial office on 23.08.2011.