Neotypes

[Andrew Lyne]

A hypothetical question.

Say you have taken a photographic image or images of a herbarium
specimen that has been nominated as a holotype.  Some time in the
future that holotype specimen is lost or destroyed.  All that would
then exist of that holotype is a photographic image.

Whilst the ICBN is clear on the fact that an illustration may be
nominated as a holotype, it isn't too clear on what role a
photographic image of a lost or destroyed holotype might play.

My question then is this.  Could it be possible that this
photographic image of the lost or destroyed holotype be nominated as
a neotype?

Andrew

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Andrew Lyne     Herbarium (CANB & CBG)    |     email: al at anbg.gov.au
Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research    |    http://www.anbg.gov.au
Australian National Botanic Gardens       | telephone: +61 6 246 5508
GPO Box 1777 CANBERRA ACT 2601  AUSTRALIA | facsimile: +61 6 246 5249

 CPBR = Australian Nature Conservation Agency + CSIRO Plant Industry
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