Re: Xerophilia - another free online journal
Posted: Sat Feb 15, 2020 2:27 am
So I have only read the first page of this thread so far but I just wanted to make a comment on private collections being used for holotypes.
Here in Australia that is an instant dismissal for any publication attempting to be made. Specimens must be in a public collection (example: state museum) and this available to future people. Sure George may allow free access to his specimens, but what happens in 50 years when his gone? Will the next owner allow anyone to come view, take measurements etc from it? Possibly not. If it’s a public collection then it will always be accessible and that’s a big reason private collections for publications (of any specimen I’ll add, not just a holotype!) are unacceptable.
Source: first hand experience as a fossil collector who at my own expense works with museums.
Here in Australia that is an instant dismissal for any publication attempting to be made. Specimens must be in a public collection (example: state museum) and this available to future people. Sure George may allow free access to his specimens, but what happens in 50 years when his gone? Will the next owner allow anyone to come view, take measurements etc from it? Possibly not. If it’s a public collection then it will always be accessible and that’s a big reason private collections for publications (of any specimen I’ll add, not just a holotype!) are unacceptable.
Source: first hand experience as a fossil collector who at my own expense works with museums.