Biosecurity functionary in Australiahave destroyedrare botanic specimens after a paperwork mix - up . The samples were being sent from the National Museum of Natural History in Paris to Queensland ’s herbarium in Brisbane , but never made it past quarantine .
The samples that were incineratedare recollect to bedaisies that were collected in the 1850s , though the researchers have not annunciate precisely what species they were . Their age only adds to their importance and curiosity , because they could have given a worthful insight into what the plant ’s genetics and characteristic were over a hundred years ago , and how they may have change since .
“ They were the first case specimen collected of a species , ” Michelle Waycott , from the Council of Heads of Australasian Herbaria , told ABC News . “ So literally unreplaceable collection and of high historic and scientific value . ”
The authorities have suppose that the founding did not leave the right document , missing important information , such as on the button what was take in the sampling . Somehow , while the biosecurity official were essay to gain more details from the French Museum , the daisy were inexplicably incinerated before the research worker had the opportunity to respond . The Federal Department of Agriculture and Water Resources , who are responsible for biosecurity in Australia , are now investigating the incident .
Unfortunately , it seems thatthis is not the first such affair in which the Australian quarantine authorities have overreact somewhat in late times . Just a few weeks before this fount , researcher from a herbarium in Wellington , New Zealand , endeavor to send a compendium of lichen samples to the Australian National Herbarium in Canberra , only to find that on the way of life they too were destroyed by biosecurity . After it came to light , it is rumored that the herbarium in New Zealand have now issued a ban on post any sampling to Australia .
Australia has some of the ruffianly biosecurity rules of any nation , preventing even the front of some biologic material between United States Department of State . And this is for a beneficial understanding . The ecosystem of Australia is unique and incredibly fragile . clip and again insects , plants , and disease have been introduced to the nation , and in many cases caused pregnant harm . Yet it seems that the tight biosecurity laws may be unintentionally hinder scientific enquiry .
It ’s a coarse practice for assemblage , museums , and herbariums to send their fabric all around the orb for scientific research . This work rely on the various mental institution being capable to share and loanword specimen that aid further our reason of mintage and their biology , particularly for rare or unique item .
