Poster Session 6, 4:15 PM - 5:00 PM: Campus Center Auditorium [A5]

Cleaning and Articulation of Ursus americanus

Presenter: Lyle Banks

Group Members: Ellie Bowser, Devon Rehorka, Samuel E. Wasilewski

Faculty Sponsor: Amanda L. M. Hyde

School: Greenfield Community College

Research Area: Biology

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this project was to assemble an anatomically correct black bear (Ursus americanus) skeleton for educational and display purposes. The specimen for this articulation was found deceased on our campus and transferred to the campus forest to decompose. Our team retrieved the bones from the forest and meticulously cleaned them using a combination of maceration in mild enzyme detergent solution and manual defleshing. The cleaned bones were then sorted and identified using anatomical references. The skeleton was assembled using a combination of screwing and wiring the joints together. Once complete, the skeleton was mounted on a hardwood base for display. This skeleton will remain on display in GCC's Vertebrate Natural History collection, allowing future generations of students to learn about comparative vertebrate anatomy.