'Time is their secret weapon': the hidden grey army quietly advancing species discovery in Australia

By Rachael Fowler, Post doctoral research fellow plant evolution, The University of Melbourne

Each year, many new species of Australian plants, animals and fungi are discovered and described. It’s detailed, time-consuming work, and much of it could not be done without the contribution of older Australians.

I’m an evolutionary botanist and I use DNA sequencing to better understand relationships between plant species – a field known as phylogenetics. My job involves collecting plant specimens in the furthest corners of Australia.

Time and again I’m helped by older, generally…

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