My name is Heather Balchowsky, and I am a graduate student at
Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA.  I am
researching the phylogenetics and molecular identification of
triggerfishes species.

        To complete my study, I need two representatives each of
different triggerfish species.  If you have access to triggerfish
samples, or you can possibly recommend someone I can talk to/e-mail in
your area, your assistance would be greatly appreciated.

        I can accept triggerfish samples in a variety of ways.  A small
tissue sample (50 - 100 g) of each the heart, liver, and muscle is the
most preferred sampling method, or the entire animal frozen would also be
acceptable.  A fin clip taken from a live specimen is also sufficient for
the extraction of DNA.  Previously frozen tissues that you may already
have would also be fine for this study.

        I would be grateful for any assistance in this endeavor.  I can
provide tubes with a non-toxic, non-flammable, preservative buffer for
transporting the samples. My contact information is provided below.
Thank you for your time and consideration.  If you have any questions
regarding the tissue colleciton protocol or on the specifics of my
project, please feel free to contact me or my faculty advisor, Dr.
Mahmood Shivji (email: [log in to unmask]).


Sincerely,                      Contact information:
                                        Heather A. Balchowsky
                                        NSU -- Oceanographic Center
                                        8000 N. Ocean Drive
Heather A. Balchowsky                   Dania, FL  33004
                                                USA
                                        (954) 927-3739
                                        [log in to unmask]