CDU AEC Policy on the Collection of Voucher Specimens : 1.0 Last amendment: 16/01/2012 Contact Officer: Animal Welfare Officer Approved By: CDU AEC Date: January 2012 Next Review: January 2014 INTRODUCTION The collection of whole animal voucher specimens is a valid, legitimate and important part of scientific research [2]. In the Northern Territory (NT) voucher specimens serve many purposes including the investigation and documentation of: A permanent and verifiable record of the numerical extent, diversity and evolutionary relationships of the biota of the NT; New species, revisions of existing species classifications, threatened and extinct species, range extensions or changes; Biogeography (species distributions geographically and temporally); A permanent and verifiable record of the effects of climate change on the NT fauna; Effects of agriculture, economic development and natural resource management regimes; Biotechnology and genomics; Education and display; Medical and forensic zoology; Health issues, venom research and ecotoxicology; Biosecurity issues relating to invasive pests and other non-indigenous species Information collected from voucher specimens can be disseminated and used in: On-line databases and web sites; An information resource to enable assessment of Environmental Impact Statements, Public Environment Reports, Development Proposals etc; Manuscripts submitted to scientific journals; Government and public enquiries on the above matters; Future studies utilising developing technologies and new analytical techniques STATEMENT OF AUTHORITY The Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes (the Code) INTENT 1. To meet the requirements of the Code in relation to voucher specimen collection. 2. To assist researchers in providing the necessary information in the required format to the AEC when applying to collect animals voucher specimens. 3. To assist the AEC in understanding and assessing applications involving the collection of voucher specimens. 4. To describe the requirements for variation to an application when undertaking work at a site not included in the original project application. Contact Officer: Animal Welfare Officer Page 1 of 5
5. To outline the reporting requirements after collection of samples whether as a part of an approved application or through opportunistic sampling. RELEVANT DEFINITIONS In the context of this document: Opportunistic Sampling means the undertaking of research on an animal, where specific AEC approval has not been given, in order to take immediate advantage of a circumstance of justifiable benefit that may not arise again in the foreseeable future. Type Specimen means a particular voucher specimen that serves as a basis for taxonomic description of that species or subspecies. Voucher Specimen means whole animals that are killed humanely, and preserved and retained in a natural history collection as a permanent reference [1]. It s noted though that voucher specimens may also be a sample, a representation of the animal (DNA, tissue, photograph, sounds recording, fossils etc) or an associated specimen (stomach contents, parasites, faecal samples etc)[4]. POLICY In order to be given approval to collect voucher specimens, the following criteria must be met: 1. There must be acceptable and adequate justification provided: This must be provided at a project, site and taxon level. Projects where the primary aim is the collection of voucher specimens must justify each field trip within the main project. It is understood that not all field trips may be planned at the time of submission of a project so a variation to include new field trips (not included in the original application) must be submitted before carrying out the collection. Variations to projects must include details of the site/location, the reason(s) for undertaking the field trip, the expected taxa to be targeted, the maximum numbers animals of each (and a justification for the numbers) and the length of time the field trip is expected to take. Common justifications for voucher collection includes: verification of identification (because field identification can be difficult) confirmation of distribution significant range extensions biodiversity surveys where a permanent record of fauna is desired revision of taxonomy new species type specimen collection Opportunistic sampling: It is recognised that on rare occasions, an unplanned voucher specimen may be collected opportunistically if it represents an uncommon, valuable scientific opportunity to study a taxa known to be under active review or to potentially describe a new species record. Such unplanned voucher collections must be reported individually in the progress or final report and identified as an opportunistic sample with details including the justification for the collection. If the AEC considers the explanation for collection as adequate, retrospective approval for the collection will be given. The AEC reserves the authority to query the collection of unplanned voucher by a researcher and, if it deems the collections to be scientifically unjustified or excessive, the AEC may review the details of the Project Approval in line with its Terms of Reference. NB Collection of opportunistic sampling must be carried out according to the methods approved in the Project Approval, with a current NRETAS Permit and must not breach any territory or federal legislation. Possible justification for the opportunistic collection of voucher specimens: the animal is a rare [3], Contact Officer: Animal Welfare Officer Page 2 of 5
the information may never be available again [3], the information may be invaluable to the survival of the species [3], the species collected is outside its known range and so its presence in the area was not foreseen. 2. Consideration of the 3Rs: It must be shown that the investigators have considered the application of the 3Rs in designing the project or field trip. In particular: 2.1 Replacement Alternatives to collecting vouchers including tissue samples or digital photography must be considered where appropriate; Investigators must provide evidence that alternatives to whole animal voucher collection has been considered and provide a reason why non-terminal samples can t be used. 2.2 Refinement Methods of capture, holding and humane killing must comply with established standards for the species in question; Captured animals should be held for the minimum amount of time before being humanely killed; Methods to reduce the impact of capture of non-target species or bycatch must be used wherever available, and the effect on any non-target captures must be minimised; Staff working on the project must be skilled and trained in the techniques involved and in particular in the species-specific methods of humane killing employed. 2.3 Reduction The minimum number of sites should be used and collection of animals from more than one sites requires justification; The minimum number of specimens from each site should be used; A collecting strategy must be employed that minimises the number of voucher specimens taken but maintains the scientific rigour of, and ability to verify, the research data. 3. Minimal Effect on Species Conservation or Survival The AEC may need to consider the impact on conservation or species survival. The AEC may not have the expertise to consider the effect voucher specimen collection may have on a population in a certain region, therefore external advice may need to be sought. Since a NRETAS collection permit is required before collection can take place, this can be used as a prerequisite to AEC approval if there are any concerns about effects on conservation status. 4. Samples will be Collected, Processed Correctly and Become Part of a Publicly Available Reference Collection The Chief Investigator and all staff participating in the collection of voucher specimens must be skilled in the techniques of capturing, humane killing, processing and preservation of samples. Investigators must provide details of collaboration or communication with a museum or similar institution and ensure that they become part of a publicly accessible reference collection [1] and provide evidence of their lodgement in the progress or final report. Appropriate data relating to the specimen must be collected and the documentation and information must be maintained with the specimens [1]. The minimum data to be recorded with each specimen is: Organisation and name of collector Date collected Description Location GPS position and location of trap Contact Officer: Animal Welfare Officer Page 3 of 5
ESSENTIAL SUPPORTING INFORMATION 1. The Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes (7 th Ed., 2004) 2. NSW Animal Research Review Panel Policy: Collection of Voucher Specimens. 3. NSW Animal Research Review Panel Policy: Opportunistic Research on Free-living Wildlife. 4. Lee WL, Bell BM, Sutton JF. Guidelines for acquisition and management of biological specimens: a report of the participants of a Conference on Voucher Specimen Management, Volume 1981 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: The CDU AEC is grateful for the contributions of the following people in developing this document: Dr Cathy Shilton, NT Department of Resources (CDU AEC Category A) Dr Marion Davey (CDU AEC Category D) Gavin Dally, MAGNT Jenni Low Choy, NRETAS (CDU AEC Category B) Dr Alaric Fisher, NRETAS Policy Sponsor: CDU AEC Policy Contact Officer: Animal Welfare Officer Contact Officer: Animal Welfare Officer Page 4 of 5
Document History and Control Date Approved Approved by Brief Description 0.1 17/11/2011 Craig Godfrey First Draft 0.2 25/11/2011 Craig Godfrey Changes made following comments from Cathy Shilton 0.3 25/11/2011 Craig Godfrey Changes made following comments from Marion Davey 0.4 28/11/2011 Craig Godfrey Changes made following input from MAGNT, Gavin Dally 0.5 30/11/2011 Craig Godfrey Changes made following input from Jenni Low Choy and Alaric Fisher 1.0 16/01/2012 Craig Godfrey Minor changes made to definitions Contact Officer: Animal Welfare Officer Page 5 of 5