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Dear all,

I am studying the gut contents of some small fishes.

In several guts the contents are enveloped in a fibrous and sticky 
matrix, which is quite difficult to disentangle, in order to look at the 
items inside.
Many items are damaged or dislodged in the process, thus making 
measurements and ID much more difficult.

Did you meet this problem? If yes, how did you cope with it?

Are you aware of any chemical treatment (e.g. dissolving 
mucopolysaccharides) that could break up the mucous matrix without 
damaging the food items?

Thanks!
Gianluca

-- 
Gianluca Polgar Ph.D.
Senior lecturer in Ichthyology
Institute of Biological Sciences
Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences
Faculty of Science, University of Malaya
50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel.: 017-6223549
Fax (ISB): 03-79674178
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
www.themudskipper.org

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