Just Blue focuses mainly on the identification of Ascidians (also know as tunicates or sea squirts), however, we do the identification of most benthic marine invertebrates. If you want more information or want a collection identified, please click here.

The following is a guideline of how costs for the identification of a collection of specimens are calculated.

• All specimens in a sample will be identified.
• Cost is per specimen, not per sample.
• Cost is in US Dollars $US.
• First identification to species in collection $150.
• Subsequent identification of already identified species $100.
• If unable to identify to species, identification to genus $100.
• If unable to identify to genus, will vary from $0 to $80 depending on the amount of work required to identify and to what level of identification.
• It takes about a day to identify a specimen, subject to laboratory availability.

For example, your collection consists of the following specimens and species:

• Sample 1 contains a single species (sp. A), the cost for identification of the sample to species level is $150.
• Sample 2 contains two species (sp. B. and sp. C) the cost for identification of both species within sample B to species level would be $300.
• Sample 3 contains two species (sp. A and sp. D). The cost for identification of sp. A (to species level) is $100 and sp. D (to species level) is $150, giving a total of $250 for sample C.
• Sample 4 contains a specimen that can not be identified to species level due to the sample being damaged or badly preserved or only part of the specimen collected. The cost is dependent on the level of identification possible. If identification is deemed impossible there is no cost. If identification is possible to genus level $100 per specimen identified is charged. If it can only be identified to family level less is charged depending on the amount of work required to make the identification.
• Sample 5 contains a single species (sp. E) which is found to be a new species of which the description has not been published. This will be indicated and cost would be the same as a specimen identified to species level, i.e. $150.
• The total cost for the collection will be $150+$300+$250+$0+$150=$850.
• There are 7 specimens in the 5 samples, so it will take about 7 working days to identify all the samples. If I can only schedule 1 lab day a week, you will only get the results 7 weeks later.

Please note cost is per specimen and not per sample. All specimens will be identified within a sample (bottle or bag sent) except if specifically stated otherwise.

If you would like the specimens to be returned to you or sent somewhere else you will be liable for the shipping costs.

The species list as well as the invoice will be sent via electronic mail in PDF format. Electronic banking details and all relevant information is given on the invoice. The full report contains the species list, synonymy of each species identified, known distribution and a reference bibliography of all relevant literatures. The report will be sent electronically via e-mail in PDF format. A printed copy of the report and invoice will be posted after payment has been received. If there are any queries please let me know and I will be happy to help.

If you are happy with the above arrangement concerning the costs involved we will let you know how to pack and send the specimens.