| |
|
|
| |
Determination of the type of a taxon.
|
|
Although in reality biologists may examine many
specimens (if available) of the new species in coming up with a
written species description, under the formal rules for naming
species, a type specimen must be designated. The type
description then describes the type specimen.
Type specimen: The single specimen on which the first published
description of that species is based, considered to be the best
available example of that species' morphology. It is an
important specimen and is used for all later reference to that
particular species. Several modifying terms may be applied to
the type designation. For example, the holotype is the original
specimen used to as the type of the new species, and a neotype
is a new type that may be designated if the holotype has been
lost.
See:
Designation |
|
| |
|
|
|
