[Nhcoll-l] Curating specimens with uncertain type status?
William Poly
wpoly at calacademy.org
Wed Aug 2 19:59:32 EDT 2023
This is an interesting example Nate. Were all of the specimens part of a
single collection with the same locality and date? If so, then the fact
that one specimen was separated from the rest indicates it was the intended
holotype, and it was deposited in a museum collection. If the lot number
for the single specimen is much later in numerical sequence from the
paratype lot, it also indicates that the holotype specimen was separated
later and assigned its own catalog number (and there could be notes in the
database to indicate this possibly [1 ex. removed from xxxx and recataloged
as xxxx]?). If the holotype specimen can be distinguished from all of the
others based on measurements, other descriptive information, and the
photo/illustration contained within the publication, then it is
identifiable as the holotype. According to Article 73.1.4, “Designation of
an illustration of a single specimen as a holotype is to be treated as
designation of the specimen illustrated; the fact that the specimen no
longer exists or cannot be traced does not of itself invalidate the
designation.” Therefore, the photo or illustration can serve as the
holotype designation, even if the catalog information was in error, and
this specimen still exists. There doesn’t appear to be any language in the
Code regarding errors in catalog numbers such that it would invalidate the
publication of the taxon.
The transposition of labels in the jars by the author, museum staff, or
another researcher who examined the specimens later is possible (such mix
ups have been known to occur). Nate mentioned that there were
miscommunications between the author and museum staff regarding the
lots. Errors
in the specimen database are possible (most databases have errors of
various kinds). As the lot with the single specimen was listed as the
holotype in the proof indicates that a later change, possibly by the
journal staff or the author, resulted in the error in the final paper. If
this is a valid taxon that was described accurately, it shouldn’t be
written off so readily. If necessary, a petition could be submitted to the
Commission to consider and rule on the matter, correct the holotype lot #
and conserve the taxon’s name. But it seems that the original publication
of the taxon name can stand as validly published even with the errors in
lot assignment contained in the original publication.
Bill
*William J. Poly*
*Research Associate*
*Department of Ichthyology*
*California Academy of Sciences*
*55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park*
*San Francisco, California 94118*
*wpoly at calacademy.org <wpoly at calacademy.org>*
*https://www.calacademy.org/scientists/ichthyology/wpoly
<https://www.calacademy.org/scientists/ichthyology/wpoly>*
Article 73. Name-bearing types fixed in the original publication (holotypes
and syntypes)
73.1. *Holotypes*
73.1.1. If an author when establishing a new nominal species-group taxon
states in the original publication that one specimen, and only one, is the
holotype, or "the type", or uses some equivalent expression, that specimen
is the holotype fixed by original designation.
73.1.4. Designation of an illustration of a single specimen as a holotype
is to be treated as designation of the specimen illustrated; the fact that
the specimen no longer exists or cannot be traced does not of itself
invalidate the designation.
On Wed, Aug 2, 2023 at 12:47 PM Shoobs, Nate <shoobs.1 at osu.edu> wrote:
> Agreed with the points from Rob and Andy. Just a few months ago I had a
> paratype cited using the wrong number and collection code.
>
> It’s also true that editors need to do a better job of proofing these
> things. That this slipped by the authors, peer reviewers, and editors,
> ought to be considered. I should add that this was not in a megajournal
> with a broader scope, but rather a well-regarded smaller journal that
> publishes mainly taxonomic papers.
>
> -Nate
>
>
>
> --
>
> [image: The Ohio State University]
> *Nathaniel F. Shoobs*
> Curator of Mollusks
> College of Arts & Sciences Dept. of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology
> Museum of Biological Diversity, 1315 Kinnear Rd, Columbus, OH 43212
> 614-688-1342 (Office)
> mbd.osu.edu <https://url.avanan.click/v2/___http://mbd.osu.edu___.YXAzOmNhbGFjYWRlbXk6YTpnOjJhYTVjNTcwZjcxZjdlMzRiYjMwYjk0OWY3NWZjZTQxOjY6ODNkOTozM2ZkYzQzODllMjVjMzU2Yjk4NGFmNjdiZGIwOGExOGJhOTQ1YWI0ZDM0MjFhYmY3ZDRkYjMwZjlhYzlhODI0Omg6VA>
>
>
>
> *From: *Bentley, Andrew Charles <abentley at ku.edu>
> *Date: *Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at 12:39 PM
> *To: *Rob Robins <rhrobins at flmnh.ufl.edu>, Shoobs, Nate <shoobs.1 at osu.edu>,
> Douglas Yanega <dyanega at gmail.com>, nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu <
> nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu>
> *Subject: *RE: [Nhcoll-l] Curating specimens with uncertain type status?
>
> And to proof that section in collaboration with the collection managers of
> the various collections you are citing. I agree that I have found untold
> errors in proofing material examined sections but only when it is too late
> because researchers
>
> And to proof that section in collaboration with the collection managers of
> the various collections you are citing. I agree that I have found untold
> errors in proofing material examined sections but only when it is too late
> because researchers did not contact me to look it over.
>
>
>
> Andy
>
> A : A : A :
> }<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<)))_°>
> V V V
> Andy Bentley
> Ichthyology Collection Manager
> University of Kansas
> Biodiversity Institute
>
> Dyche Hall
> 1345 Jayhawk Boulevard
> Lawrence, KS, 66045-7561
> USA
>
> Tel: (785) 864-3863
> Fax: (785) 864-5335
> Email: abentley at ku.edu
>
> ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3093-1258
> <https://url.avanan.click/v2/___https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/orcid.org/0000-0002-3093-1258__;!!KGKeukY!1EFeFjsEobDklReesjwP1DgMqGc0cB9OKKia3c0gLxa1h89rfXBjAWmLpSWeOtH5TQJyXegGt5MkK_WMQQ$___.YXAzOmNhbGFjYWRlbXk6YTpnOjJhYTVjNTcwZjcxZjdlMzRiYjMwYjk0OWY3NWZjZTQxOjY6ZjY0Njo5ODZjMTEwNjZiNTlmMzE1YTE3Y2I0YzljZTM1MWRkMTRkNjU1Yjc2Yzc5NWNiM2RmODBlNjBhMGZhYmE3Mzk0Omg6VA>
>
> http://ichthyology.biodiversity.ku.edu
> <https://url.avanan.click/v2/___https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/ichthyology.biodiversity.ku.edu/__;!!KGKeukY!1EFeFjsEobDklReesjwP1DgMqGc0cB9OKKia3c0gLxa1h89rfXBjAWmLpSWeOtH5TQJyXegGt5N5t8iuRQ$___.YXAzOmNhbGFjYWRlbXk6YTpnOjJhYTVjNTcwZjcxZjdlMzRiYjMwYjk0OWY3NWZjZTQxOjY6NDkyZDo4ZDJkNmY3MjAwODM5ZGRmNjU0MjkwZmU0ODEzMjJlZmU1MDM5ZjAwNjlmNmQyNWMxYTY0MTgyNjUzODI1ZDk2Omg6VA>
>
> A : A : A :
> }<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<)))_°>
> V V V
>
>
>
> *From:* Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> *On Behalf Of *Rob
> Robins
> *Sent:* Wednesday, August 2, 2023 11:37 AM
> *To:* Shoobs, Nate <shoobs.1 at osu.edu>; Douglas Yanega <dyanega at gmail.com>;
> nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
> *Subject:* Re: [Nhcoll-l] Curating specimens with uncertain type status?
>
>
>
> Whatever the outcome of this case, it serves to underscore the need for
> authors to proof the materials examined section of their papers with the
> same care they do the rest of the work.
>
>
>
> I’m sure nhcoll list members can attest to the many transcription errors
> encountered in the reporting of catalog numbers in published works…the rate
> seems quite high compared to other typographical errors.
>
>
>
> Best wishes,
>
>
> Rob
>
>
>
> Robert H. Robins
>
> Collection Manager
>
> Division of Ichthyology
>
> [image: FLMNH Fishes logo email small]
>
> Florida Museum
>
> 1659 Museum Rd.
>
> Gainesville, FL 32611-7800
>
> Office: (352) 273-1957
>
> rhrobins at flmnh.ufl.edu
>
>
>
> The UF Fish Collection is moving:
>
> https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/fish/
> <https://url.avanan.click/v2/___https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/fish/__;!!KGKeukY!1EFeFjsEobDklReesjwP1DgMqGc0cB9OKKia3c0gLxa1h89rfXBjAWmLpSWeOtH5TQJyXegGt5Nq7jnsCQ$___.YXAzOmNhbGFjYWRlbXk6YTpnOjJhYTVjNTcwZjcxZjdlMzRiYjMwYjk0OWY3NWZjZTQxOjY6MDYzNzozOWQwNjkzMWJlNmRkZmRmYmZmY2Y5ZGZjZWU1N2UyMjUwYTdlNWUxZTdhZDNmNDRiODNlYzMwYjU2YTI0ZWEyOmg6VA>
>
>
>
> Search the Collection:
>
> http://specifyportal.flmnh.ufl.edu/fishes/
> <https://url.avanan.click/v2/___https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/specifyportal.flmnh.ufl.edu/fishes/__;!!KGKeukY!1EFeFjsEobDklReesjwP1DgMqGc0cB9OKKia3c0gLxa1h89rfXBjAWmLpSWeOtH5TQJyXegGt5MkCpBnqQ$___.YXAzOmNhbGFjYWRlbXk6YTpnOjJhYTVjNTcwZjcxZjdlMzRiYjMwYjk0OWY3NWZjZTQxOjY6MTRiOTplZDZjZTQzODJhNDZmYjI2ZWFmM2ZhMTBjMTVmYmQ1ZWQ4OGNmNTYxNzU4YzcwZDE3MDAzYzgyOTlhNmU5MTdjOmg6VA>
>
>
>
> Search samples suitable for dna analysis:
>
> https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/grr/holdings/
> <https://url.avanan.click/v2/___https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/grr/holdings/__;!!KGKeukY!1EFeFjsEobDklReesjwP1DgMqGc0cB9OKKia3c0gLxa1h89rfXBjAWmLpSWeOtH5TQJyXegGt5O9jKZbow$___.YXAzOmNhbGFjYWRlbXk6YTpnOjJhYTVjNTcwZjcxZjdlMzRiYjMwYjk0OWY3NWZjZTQxOjY6ZjUwZjpmNzg4YTMyM2Y1YThlY2YxZjAzYWM3NTlmYWZhNDk2ZTlhYzQzZTQxZjc3ODVmYTAwOThkNTdmMzFlM2MzYjU2Omg6VA>
>
>
>
> *From:* Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> *On Behalf Of *Shoobs,
> Nate
> *Sent:* Wednesday, August 2, 2023 12:03 PM
> *To:* Douglas Yanega <dyanega at gmail.com>; nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
> *Subject:* Re: [Nhcoll-l] Curating specimens with uncertain type status?
>
>
>
> *[External Email]*
>
> Doug,
>
> Thanks for your prompt reply. This is one of the conclusions I reached,
> that the name is not available because a single type was not fixed at the
> time of publication. But others that I’ve spoken to are of the opinion
> that: 1. the type *was* designated and is simply lost in the type series,
> warranting a neotype designation. Or 2. that the designation of the lot
> constituted a syntype designation.
>
> I think the former is plausible, but the latter cannot be because
> post-1999, syntypes must be fixed “explicitly” (meaning if the word
> syntypes wasn’t used, they ain’t syntypes.)
>
> -Nate
>
>
>
> --
>
> [image: The Ohio State University]
> *Nathaniel F. Shoobs*
> Curator of Mollusks
> College of Arts & Sciences Dept. of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal
> Biology
> Museum of Biological Diversity, 1315 Kinnear Rd, Columbus, OH 43212
> 614-688-1342 (Office)
> mbd.osu.edu
> <https://url.avanan.click/v2/___http://mbd.osu.edu/___.YXAzOmNhbGFjYWRlbXk6YTpnOjJhYTVjNTcwZjcxZjdlMzRiYjMwYjk0OWY3NWZjZTQxOjY6MmU1YToyNTIxZDRkZTc0NjA0OGU3ZmRjNTgwNjQ4Nzg1YWVmODFjZGE0MjQ1ZWE1YzY4ZmZjOWFiNjMwMjAzMGQxYjg4Omg6VA>
>
>
>
> *From: *Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> on behalf of Douglas
> Yanega <dyanega at gmail.com>
> *Date: *Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at 11:55 AM
> *To: *nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu <nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu>
> *Subject: *Re: [Nhcoll-l] Curating specimens with uncertain type status?
>
> On 8/2/23 8: 39 AM, Shoobs, Nate wrote: The author, in the description,
> says something like this: “Holotype: OSUM 1234, 10 specimens. Paratype:
> OSUM 4567, 1 specimen. ”. Speaking as an ICZN Commissioner, this right here
> is the core issue. After
>
>
>
> On 8/2/23 8:39 AM, Shoobs, Nate wrote:
>
>
> 1. The author, in the description, says something like this:
> “Holotype: OSUM 1234, 10 specimens. Paratype: OSUM 4567, 1 specimen.”.
>
> Speaking as an ICZN Commissioner, this right here is the core issue.
>
> After 1999, a holotype designation must be of an individual specimen. The
> statement above does not designate a single specimen, it designates a "lot"
> containing multiple specimens. Prior to 2000, this would have devolved to a
> "by default" situation and the specimens in that lot would have been
> considered syntypes.
>
> I personally don't think the name of this new taxon is available at all,
> as it has no validly-designated type specimen, because your ample evidence
> (that what happened here is the accidental switching of the words
> "holotype" and "paratypes" in the final published version) is not allowable
> for names after 1999. The problem is unusual enough that I will pass it by
> the other Commissioners to see what they think, but I doubt it is
> salvageable.
>
> Peace,
>
> --
>
> Doug Yanega Dept. of Entomology Entomology Research Museum
>
> Univ. of California, Riverside, CA 92521-0314 skype: dyanega
>
> phone: (951) 827-4315 (disclaimer: opinions are mine, not UCR's)
>
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>
> "There are some enterprises in which a careful disorderliness
>
> is the true method" - Herman Melville, Moby Dick, Chap. 82
>
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