Validation of fecal collection and storage

This dataset was used to experimentally test how collection and storage conditions encountered when working with wild populations affected mT3 concentrations (See Fig. 1). Specifically, using the aliquots collected from the captive baboons, we treated the four aliquots as follows. The aliquot without ethanol (aliquot 1) and one of the aliquots stored in 95% ethanol (aliquot 2) were kept at -20°C; the other two aliquots stored in 95% ethanol were kept for 8 hours at 4°C (aliquot 3) or at 25°C (aliquot 4) before being stored for 2 weeks at 4°C. Aliquot 1 represented optimal conditions of collection and storage in a lab setting. Aliquots 2-4 tested aspects of field conditions for collection and storage. Specifically, aliquot 2 tested the effect of simple ethanol storage on mT3 concentrations. Aliquot 3 and 4 tested field conditions in which samples were kept in a cooler containing ice packs until return to camp site (aliquot 3) or when samples were kept at ambient temperature until return to camp site (aliquot 4).