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A type specimen is a preserved specimen selected to serve as a
permanent reference point for a scientific plant name. Type specimens are
vitally important to botanists in determining the correct application of
botanical names. There are a number of different categories of types recognised
under the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature (the ICBN):
Holotype: The single specimen designated as the type of a species by
the original author at the time the species name and description was published.
Isotype: A duplicate specimen of the holotype.
Syntype: Any of two or more specimens listed in the original
description of a taxon when a holotype was not designated. Isosyntypes
are duplicates of a syntype.
Lectotype: A specimen chosen by a later researcher to serve as the
primary type. It is chosen from among the specimens available to the original
author of a name when the holotype was either lost or destroyed, or when no
holotype was designated. Isolectotypes are duplicates of a lectotype.
Neotype: A specimen chosen by a later researcher to serve in place of
a holotype when all specimens available to the original author of a name have
been lost or destroyed. Isoneotypes are duplicates of a lectotype.
You may also see references to the following categories that have no standing
under the ICBN:
Paratype: A specimen not formally designated as a type but cited along
with the type collection in the original description of a taxon.
Topotype: A specimen of a plant collected from the same locality as
the holotype, not necessarily at the same time.
Cotype: An old term used by some authors for additional (different)
specimens that supported their taxonomic concept.
Lectoparatype: A name sometimes used for the unselected remainder when
a lectotype is selected from a number of syntypes.
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