different between holotype vs paratype

English

Etymology

holo- +? -type

Pronunciation

• Hyphenation: ho?lo?type

Noun

holotype (plural holotypes)

1. (taxonomy) The single physical example (or illustration) of an organism used to formally describe the species (or lower-order taxon), subsequently to be kept as a reference.
   • 1938, A. K. Miller, Devonian Ammonoids of America, Geological Society of America, page 75,

     The holotype of this species is subglobular in shape and ammoniticonic in its mode of growth.

   • 1942, E. O. Ulrich, Aug. F. Foerste, A. K. Miller, A. G. Unklesbay, Ozarkian and Canadian Cephalopods: Part III: Longicones and Summary, Geological Society of America, page 77,

     The surface of the holotype bears seven rounded annulations which slope very slightly orad from the venter.

   • 2005, David Grimaldi, Michael S. Engel, Evolution of the Insects, Cambridge University Press, page 35,

     Primary types include holotypes, lectotypes, and neotypes, while all other types (e.g., paratypes) are secondary types. A holotype is a unique, name-bearing type specimen designated by the original author. The holotype is the single individual of a species that serves as a voucher for a given species name. A holotype can be designated only by the original author and in the publication in which that author established its name.

   • 2008, Charles W. Heckman, Encyclopedia of South American Aquatic Insects: Odonata - Zygoptera, Springer, page 3,

     The species to which the holotype belongs is then referred to by the name proposed by the author, at least when the same name has not previously been applied to another species. […] If his specimen is not the same species as any of the holotypes preserved in museums, he should prepare a description of his specimen and have it published with his proposed name for the new species or give it to a specialist who is interested in doing this.

Derived terms

• holotypic

Related terms

• allotype
• epitype
• isotype
• lectotype
• neotype
• paratype
• syntype

Translations

See also

• conserved type
• type species

English

Etymology

para- +? type

Noun

paratype (plural paratypes)

1. (taxonomy) A physical specimen (or an illustration) that is not the holotype but is considered the same taxon by the author of the holotype.
   • 1942, Alan Stone, The Fruitflies of the Genus Anastrepha, US Department of Agriculture, Miscellaneous Publication 439, page 44,

     The paratype of this species proves to have an ovipositor very different from that of the holotype (see dissimilis, new species).

   • 1965, James A. G. Rehn, A New Genus of Symbiotic Cockroach from Southwest Africa (Orthoptera; Blattaria; Oxyhaloinae), Notulae Naturae, Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, page 6,

     An adult female paratype will be sent to the Transvaal Museum (at Dr. Kohls' request) and a similar one to the United States National Museum. The remainder are in the collection of this Academy. All were taken with the type and allotype.

   • 2008, Charles W. Heckman, Encyclopedia of South American Aquatic Insects: Odonata - Zygoptera, Springer, page 3,

     In addition to the holotype, other specimens believed to be of the same species by the author are designated as paratypes. If a holotype is not available, a paratype can be examined to confirm identifications.

Related terms

• paratypic
• paratyping

Notes

• The taxonomist may analyze several specimens, selecting one as the holotype and designating others (of the same taxon) as paratypes. The holotype and any given paratype may subsequently be kept in different repositories.

See also

• holotype

Further reading

• holotype on Wikipedia.Wikipedia