Short note on Nomenclatural types
THE TYPE METHOD: Definition and types
The names of different taxonomic groups are based on the type method, by which a certain
representative of the group is the source of the name for the group. This representative is called
the nomenclatural type or simply the type, and methodology as typification. Type may be
correct name or even a synonym. The type of name of a species or infraspecific taxon, where it
exists, is a single type specimen, preserved in a known herbarium and identified by the place of
collection, name of the collector and his collection number. It may also be an illustration of the
plant. The Code recognizes several kinds of type, depending upon the way in which a type
specimen is selected.
These include:
1. Holotype: A particular specimen or illustration designated by the author of the species to
represent type of a species. It may consist of a single plant, parts of one or several plants, or of
multiple small plants. A specimen is usually mounted either on a single herbarium sheet or in
an equivalent preparation, such as a box, packet, jar or microscope slide. Type specimens of
names of taxa must be preserved permanently and may not be living plants or cultures. It is
now essential to designate a holotype when publishing a new species.
2. Isotype: A specimen which is a duplicate of the holotype, collected from the same place, at
the same time and by the same person. Often the collection number is also the same,
differentiated as a, b, c, etc.
3. Syntype: Any one of the two or more specimens cited by the author when no holotype was
designated, or any one of the two or more specimens simultaneously designated as types.
Duplicate of a syntype is an iso-syntype.
4. Paratype: A paratype is a specimen cited in the protologue that is neither the holotype nor
an isotype, nor one of the syntypes if two or more specimens were simultaneously designated
as types.
5. Lectotype: A specimen or any other element selected from the original material cited by the
author when no holotype was originally selected or when it no longer exists. A lectotype is
selected from isotypes or syntypes. If no cited specimens exist, the lectotype must be chosen
from among the uncited specimens
6. Neotype: A specimen or illustration selected to serve as nomenclatural type as long as all of
the material on which the name of the taxon was based is missing; a specimen or an illustration
selected when no holotype, isotype, paratype or syntype exists.
7. Epitype: A specimen or illustration selected to serve as an interpretative type when the
holotype, lectotype or previously designated neotype, or all original material associated with a
validly published name, is demonstrably ambiguous and cannot be critically identified for
purposes of the precise application of the name of a taxon. When an epitype is designated, the
holotype, lectotype or neotype that the epitype supports must be explicitly cited.
