Pictures illustrating the different steps during small mammal dissection. Masks (FFP2), gloves and glasses protect the experimenter who manipulates and dissects the animals. A- All tubes are prepared in advance with unique identifier and datamatrix. One colour is dedicated to each type of sample (e.g. red tip for heart in PBS, purple tip for liver in RNA later). Morphological information was recorded on a paper sheet. Dissection instruments are disinfected between each animal. B- The experimenter is preparing the animal (here a brown rat Rattus norvegicus) for the dissection. C- The experimenter is weighing the animal (here a woodmouse Apodemus sylvaticus) for the dissection. D- A male common vole (Microtus arvalis). E- Tubes corresponding to liver samples, with unique identifiers and datamatrices, stored in a clearly identified box (unique identifier and datamatrix).