Nomenclature and the Codes - University of Connecticut

There is no actual holotype for H
people who have recently attemp

most notorious case involves E.D
designations were not validly do

ICZN Code explicitly states ther
need" and the express purpose of

status". There is ZERO ambiguit

own species, so we do not NEED
we do not need a type specimen,

designate one. That is how the co

significantly - WHY it is written
unscientific non-issues like "Wh

sapiens?

H. sapiens. There are a few
pted to designate them (the

D. Cope's skull), but these
one. Article 75.3 of the

re must be "an exceptional
f "clarifying the taxonomic

ty about the identity of our

D to have a holotype. Since
, no one is allowed to

ode is written, and - quite

n that way; to avoid
ho is the holotype of Homo

Secondary T

Other Types: individuals in type serie
1) Paratypes: all other individuals in ty
2) Paralectotypes: all other individuals

than the Lectotype
3) Allotype: specimen selected (ideally

complementary sex to the Holotype
4) Isotype: duplicate of holotype colle

in plants) (sometimes material colle
plants)

Types

es other than the name-bearing types
ype series other than the Holotype
s in co-type or syntype series other

y from the type series) to represent the
e
ected at same time and place (common
ected from the same individual in

Zoologic

http://www.iczn.org/iczn/

type, n. A term used alone, or forming part of a compo
taxon.

Allotype. A term, not regulated by the Code, for a des
[Recommendation 72A].

Cotype. A term not recognized by the Code, formerly
not now be used in zoological nomenclature [Recomm

Genotype. A term not recognized by the Code, former
used in zoological nomenclature [Recommendation 67

Holotype. The single specimen (except in the case of a
the name-bearing type of a nominal species or subspec

Lectotype. A syntype designated as the single name-b
of a nominal species or subspecies [Art. 74].

name-bearing type. The type genus, type species, hol
constitute the name-bearing type) or neotype that prov
application of the name of a nominal taxon can be dete

cal Types

/index.jsp (from glossary)

ound term, to denote a particular kind of specimen or

signated specimen of opposite sex to the holotype

used for either syntype or paratype, but that should
mendation 73E].

rly used for type species, but that should not now be
7A].

a hapantotype, q.v.) designated or otherwise fixed as
cies when the nominal taxon is established.

bearing type specimen subsequent to the establishment

lotype, lectotype, series of syntypes (which together
vides the objective standard of reference whereby the
ermined.

Neotype. The single specimen designated as the nam
subspecies when there is a need to define the nomin
is believed to be extant. If stability and universality
bearing type is either taxonomically inadequate or n
name, the Commission may use its plenary power to

Paralectotype. Each specimen of a former syntype
lectotype [Art. 72.1.3, Recommendation 74F].

Paratype. Each specimen of a type series other than

Syntype. Each specimen of a type series (q.v.) from
been designated [Arts. 72.1.2, 73.2, 74]. The syntyp
type.

topotype, n. (topotypic, a.). A term, not regulated b
type locality of the species or subspecies to which it
specimen is part of the type series.

me-bearing type of a nominal species or
nal taxon objectively and no name-bearing type

are threatened, because an existing name-
not in accord with the prevailing usage of a
o set aside that type and designate a neotype.

series remaining after the designation of a

n the holotype [Recommendation 73D].

m which neither a holotype nor a lectotype has
pes collectively constitute the name-bearing

by the Code, for a specimen originating from the
t is thought to belong, whether or not the

Fixing the Typ

1. monotypy (at the time of the
2. original designation (by the d
3. subsequent designation (by re

- in this case species name wi
Ex. Hepialus Fabricius, 177
Type Species: humuli L., 17
4. using typus as the specific ep
5. tautonymy (by definition mus
in zoology)
6. In botany the first species fol
is to be considered the type

pe of a Genus

generic description)
describer)
evisor)
ill pre-date generic name
75
758
pithet
st be type) (only allowed

llowing the generic description

For a name to be available (zoological n
it must be published according to specifi

Articles 8-20 in Zool. Code
Articles 29-50 in Bot. Code
Some Important Requirements (and R
1) proposed name must be correctly fo
2) description or diagnosis after 1930
(Article 3) (but this can be a low ba
3) in botany a brief Latin description is
4) new name must be explicitly indicat
name (e.g., n. sp.) (Article 16)
5) explicit fixation of a type (Article 16
recommendations:
- deposition in research or public in
- specimens should bear distinguish
- some new endangered species do n
6) statement of type s whereabouts mu

names) or legitimate (botanical names)
ic criteria: e.g.,

Recommendations)
ormed (Article 11)
in Zoology must be differential
ar)
s required
ted as well as the fact that it is a new

6.4.1)

nstitution
hing labels, numbers, etc.
not have type specimens
ust be included (Article 16.4.2)