A COMPENDIUM OF ZOOLOGICAL TYPE NOMENCLATURE: A REFERENCE SOURCE

A synthesis of the various terms used in type nomenclature obtained from numerous sources is presented and annotated. Ever since zoological nomenclature became codified, taxonomists have been creative in their attempts to coin terms for the different array of “types” they encountered. Aside from the terminology governed by the ICZN Code (i.e., holotype, paratype, lectotype, syntype, neotype, ischnotype, etc.) for just about every kind of activity or specimens, a certain “type” has been defined and given a term. This compendium attempts to list all of the published and unpublished type terminology that I have encountered in providing a historical context to the hobby of coining type terms. In the list below, the terms are listed alphabetically and followed by the definition. If there is more than one definition for that term, the definitions are placed in order of most frequent usage. Cross references in the definition to other terms in this list are placed in boldface. Synonyms follow the definition and are placed in boldface. Variant spellings of the term are listed in italics following the definition. Numbers in square brackets following the definition correspond to the references at the end. For those terms without published references, these have accumulated from list provided to me by colleagues, my own experiences (usually obtaining them at lectures or meeting presentations). Bishop Mus. Tech. Rep. 41—Evenhuis: Compendium of Type Nomenclature 2 LIST OF TYPE TERMINOLOGY Abruptotype Type of a taxon hastily described to meet a project, grant, or publication deadline. [2] Adelfotype A topotype obtained by the original collector of the species; specimens from the type locality collected by the original collector (but not of the original type series). [1, 8] Aedeotype The first specimen of a species to have the genitalia studied, together with the genital preparation (syn: holoaedeotype; pare–aedeotype). [1, 8, 9] Agriotype 1. Ancestral type. [9] 2. A wild form considered the ancestor of a domestic form. [8] Alivotype A live type (requires special storage and handling). [2] Allohomotype A homotype of the same sex as the allotype or lectoallotype (allohomoitype, allohomoiotype). [8] Allolectotype The type specimen of the opposite sex of the lectotype (syn. lectoallotype). [6, 8] Alloneotype The type specimens of the opposite sex of the neotype (syn. neallotype). Alloparalectotype A specimen from the original type series, of the opposite sex of the type, and designated later than the original publication of the species. [6, 8, 9] Alloparatype A paratype of the same sex as the allotype. [6, 8] Alloplesiotype A hypotype of the same sex as the allotype. 6, 8] Allotopotype A specimen of the opposite sex of the type from the original type locality. [6, 8, 9] Bishop Mus. Tech. Rep. 41—Evenhuis: Compendium of Type Nomenclature 3 Allotype 1. The type specimen of the opposite sex of the holotype; 2. A paratype specimen of the opposite sex to the holotype, chosen by the original author; 3. A specimen chosen by the original author of a species to show morphologic features not exhibited by the holotype. [1, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10] Ambiguotype 1. An inadequately described type, also known in some entomological circles as a “Walker type”; 2. A type specimen, usually a primary type, with inadequate date-locality labels (e.g., “N. Amer.”, “Northwest Territory”, “Summer ‘69”, “No. 313”; 3. Unlabeled primary type specimen hidden in a series of paratypes or syntypes, the series of which ultimately is proven to be a conglomerate of several closely related species. 4. An inadequately designated or labeled type specimen that is found to be stored or mounted (slide, pin, same jar or vial, etc.) with other specimens also fitting the exact description. [2, 3, 4] Androtype The designated original specimen of the male sex. [1, 9] Anirotype See Chirotype. Antetype See Prototype. Antitype 1. An opposite type; a countertype. 2. A corresponding specimen of a type species, obtained at the same time and location of the type. [9] 3. Every specimen, other than the holotype, in the type-series; all the specimens on which the author bases the series, except any that (s)he refers to as variants, or doubtfully associates with the nominal species, or expressly excludes from it. Paratype is preferred. [6] Bishop Mus. Tech. Rep. 41—Evenhuis: Compendium of Type Nomenclature 4 Apogenotype When a genus-group name is replaced because of homonymy, its type species automatically becomes the apogenotype of the renamed genus-group name (apogenotyp). [6, 8] Apotype 1. Hypotype. 2. Type fixation of a genusgroup name through substitution. [5, 6, 8] Archetype A hypothetical ancestral type arrived at by the elimination of specialized characters of known later forms. (archeotype). [6, 8, 9] Architype A specimen that formed the basis of publication of a species previous to the modern type-interpretation. Unless such a specimen is included in one of the modern categories (in which it will be so termed) it cannot be included with types. (arquetype). [8] Arithmotype 1. A specimen that belongs to a different taxon than the holotype (isotype). 2. specimens bearing the same collection number but not necessarily representing the same taxon. [6] Artotype Type specimen of a new species with clearly distinctive color patterns ultimately shown to be paint spots. Associate Type Any of two or more type specimens listed in the original description of a taxon in the absence of a designated holotype (syn: Cotype, Syntype) [1, 6, 8] Atopotype A type specimen described from a locality where it is known not to occur. [2] Atypicotype 1. A type stated by the author not to be characteristic of the taxon; 2. A type specimen of a new species ultimately recognized as merely a color variant of a well-known common species. [2, 3, 4] Autogenotype A type of a genus-group name fixed by original designation. [6, 8] Bishop Mus. Tech. Rep. 41—Evenhuis: Compendium of Type Nomenclature 5 Autotype 1. A specimen illustrated by the author after the original publication. (hypotype). [5, 6, 8] 2. A specimen designated by the author of a species subsequernt to the original description as being identical to the holotype (syn: homotype). [6] 3. autogenotype. [8] 4. A type specimen originating from the radiator grill of a truck or car after having traveled some distance. [3, 4] Auxiliary Type A specimen or element to serve as type of a subordinate taxon when the type of a major taxon is inadequate to assign subordinate rank names to the type. Also called Sustaining specimen. [6] Basic Types See Primary Types Behaviorotype A type of a taxon distinguishable only by behavioral characteristics. [2] Biasotype A type specimen of a species recognized as distinct by detailed statistical treatment involving a small sample size. [2, 3, 4] Biotype Individuals of the same genotypical constitution. A particular combination of parental genomes. Not nomenclatural. [6, 8, 9] Boobootype A holotype that should not have been described. For example, a specialist fails to recognize his own earlier described species; the museum technician or the star graduate student does, however. [2, 3, 4] Brevotype A type specimen, whose name is validated on the most minimal of characters necessary to meet Code requirements (e.g., “yellow, 20 mm.”) Cheirotype See Chirotype. Chirotype A type specimen of an unpublished or manuscript name (cheirotype, quirotype). [1, 5, 6, 8, 9] Bishop Mus. Tech. Rep. 41—Evenhuis: Compendium of Type Nomenclature 6 Chorotype 1. A fossil specimen collected from the same stratum but a different locality than the type. [8] 2. A local type. [9] Chromosomotype A type specimen of a new species known only from its chromosome smear because the remainder of the specimen was discarded. See also Crickotype. [4] Clastotype A part or fragment of a type specimen of a species. See also Giraultotype. [8] Clonotype 1. An asexually propagated specimen from a part of a type specimen or holotype. 2. The phenotype or homogenous product of cloning. [9] Collateral Type Any specimen used in the description of a species with the exception of primary types. [6, 8] Collectotype The type specimen of a new species instantly recognized by an authority but in the personal collection of a collector who refuses to give it up under any circumstances. [3, 4] Concoctotype A complete holotype made from several incomplete specimens. [2] Conservotype A type described solely for the purpose of having it listed as an Endangered Species. Constructotype A holotype (created during a taxonomic revision) due to a mix-up of body parts, such as male genitalia on a female body, etc. [2, 3, 4] Contortotype The type specimen of a soft-bodied species that has dried to an unrecognizable blob. See also xerotype. [3] Conveniotype The type of as taxon that still has its distinguishing characters yet to be established. [2] Copulotype A pair of types locked forever in copulatory embrace. [2] Bishop Mus. Tech. Rep. 41—Evenhuis: Compendium of Type Nomenclature 7 Cotype Obsolete—1. Syntype; any specimen of the original type series when the author did not designate a holotype. 2. A paratype; any specimen of the type series except the holotype or allotype. [1, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10] Countertype In compression fossils, where the rock or other medium is split open to reveal a mirrored impression of the fossil, the opposite half of the holotype. See also antitype. [6] Crickotype A holotype and only known specimen of a taxon that has been completely ground up for DNA analysis. Cryptotype 1. A type published in a medium such as Turtox News, Ranger Rick, Carolina Tips, High Times, or VWR News. 2. A type specimen among thousands of specimens received from the estate of a taxonomist, who failed to label any of his specimens. [2, 3, 4] Cyrioplesiotype The principal or typical specimen among several plesiotypes. [8] Cytotype A portion of a type prepared to show identical cytological features, e.g. chro