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Taxonomic Types and Definitions

This document defines and describes different types of taxonomic types used in scientific classification. The main types discussed are holotype, syntype, paratype, lectotype, neotype, allotype, topotype, homocotype, and plastotype. Blackwelder (1967) classified types as primary, secondary, or tertiary depending on their importance and use in nomenclature. The holotype is the single specimen selected by the original author, while all remaining specimens are considered paratypes. If no holotype exists, all specimens are equal value syntypes until a lectotype is selected.

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Anupam Ghosh
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1K views7 pages

Taxonomic Types and Definitions

This document defines and describes different types of taxonomic types used in scientific classification. The main types discussed are holotype, syntype, paratype, lectotype, neotype, allotype, topotype, homocotype, and plastotype. Blackwelder (1967) classified types as primary, secondary, or tertiary depending on their importance and use in nomenclature. The holotype is the single specimen selected by the original author, while all remaining specimens are considered paratypes. If no holotype exists, all specimens are equal value syntypes until a lectotype is selected.

Uploaded by

Anupam Ghosh
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Taxonomic Types

Dr. Anupam Ghosh


Mob: 9474492745
Definition of Type
The ‘type’ affords the standard of references
that determine the application of scientific
names. Nucleus of a taxon and foundation of
its name, the type is objective and does not
change. The type of a nominal species is an
individual, that of a nominal genus is a
nominal species and that of a nominal family
is a nominal genus.
Types in the species-group

• Holotype: If a nominal species is based on a single specimen, that


specimen is the holotype. Otherwise if any author present any
specimen in the description of a new nominal species that is
designated as holotype.

• Syntype: If a new nominal species has no holotype, all the


specimens of the type series are syntypes of equal value in
nomenclature.

• Cotype: Syntypes may include specimens labeled Co-type that has


not been represented by the author but which were the bases of
previously published descriptions or figures upon which he founded
his taxon.
Types….
• Paratype: After the holotype has been labeled, each
remaining specimen (if any) of the type series should be
conspicuously labeled as paratype.
• Lectotype: If a nominal species has no holotype any
zoologist may designated one of the syntype as
lectotype.
• Neotype: Subject to some limitations and conditions, a
uthor or subsequent author may designate another
specimen to serve as neotype of a species if through
loss or destruction, no holotype, lecto type or syntype
exists.
Types…..
• Allotype: A type which is opposite in sex to
holotype is referred as allotype.
• Topotype: A specimen collected from the same
locality from which holotype was collected.
• Homocotype: A specimen compared with the
type and found to be conspecific with holotype.
• Plastotype: A cast of a type specimen is called
plastotype
Blackwelder (1967) classification

• Primary types (that is single nomenclature


type) e.g., Holotype, Lectotype and Neotype.
• Secondary types (that is the specimens from
which the primary type must be selected, e.g.,
Syntype, Topotype.
• Tertiary types (that is other specimens
originally set aside as of special taxonomic
importance to supplement the primary type)
E.G., Paratype, Plastotype and Allotype.
Overview
Specimen selected by author=Holotype; All
remaining specimens of same species are
Paratype; If Holotype is absent, all the
specimens are syntypes or of equal
importance

Any Zoologist may select one of the


syntype as type specimen: Lectotype

Any previosly published description or


figure used by the subsequent author (not
the original authors) to form a taxon:
Cotype

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