[Nhcoll-l] Curating specimens with uncertain type status?

[William Poly]

Thank you for the additional clarification of the situation and for
additional information, Nate and Doug.  On the subject of type specimens,
it seems that some taxonomists still designate lectotypes as a routine
practice when it doesn't seem warranted (all syntypes unquestionably the
same taxon).  Having multiple name-bearing types can be useful, especially
if in several collections, to reduce catastrophic losses of name-bearing
types.


On Thu, Aug 3, 2023 at 12:00 PM Douglas Yanega <dyanega at gmail.com> wrote:

> On 8/3/23 8:45 AM, Dirk Neumann wrote:
>
> Thanks for this valuable update, Doug!
>
> Quick question: if the holotype can be identified from the figure and if
> the designation of this specimens as "the holotype" is unambiguous from the
> figure legend, wouldn't it be straight forward if a first reviser (i.e.
> Nate) would confirm that the depicted holotype as been moved to lot OSUM
> 4567 and is been treated as holotype, and the paratype specimen previously
> stored in OSUM 4567 as been assigned to a new lot,  OSUM 8910 ?
>
> Stability of the Code and scientific names is as important as a clear
> reference and assignation of the holotype. This can be part of a type
> catalogue or just a brief note specifically to this species/ that case what
> problems have been observed and how they have been treated.
>
> Very briefly: my understanding is that the figured specimen cannot be
> unambiguously recognized. In essence, the holotype is lost. The name is
> still available, even so.
>
> If questions arose about the *validity* of the taxon (i.e., whether it
> was a synonym of another species), then - and pretty much ONLY then - a
> neotype would be required. There are a very large number of taxa that
> presently do not have holotypes, for various reasons, and the Code only
> allows neotypes to be designated when absolutely necessary (see Article
> 75.2).
>
> 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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