lectotype
nounEtymology From Ancient Greek λέκτος (léktos, “chosen”), from λέγειν (légein, “to choose”) + τύπος (túpos, “blow, impression”).
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Biology, Natural sciences, Taxonomy A biological specimen or illustration later selected to serve as definitive type example of a species or subspecies when the original author of the name did not designate a holotype.
- Where the original diagnosis is without illustrations or is accompanied by figues based on two or more specimens, the first subsequent author is at liberty to select from these cotypes a type for the old species, adhering, as far as can be ascertained to the intention of the original author. Such a type speciment is to be designated as a lectotype...1905, George P. Merrill, Bulletin of the United States National Museum, Vol. 53, page 12:
- The lectotype and paratype, which are before me, are both iron-stained, predominantly internal composite molds of left valves in a fine-grained, white quartzite matrix.1968, Arcie Lee McAlester, “Type Species of Paleozoic Nuculoid Bivalve Genera”, in Memoir, Geological Society of America, 105, page 19:
1 more example
- Lectotype designation is justified under article 74.1.1 of the ICZN (1999) in order to fix the status of this specimen as the sole name-bearing type of this species.2000, Scientific Papers, Natural History Museum, University of Kansas, page 27:
- Derived terms
- lectotypic, lectotypification, lectotypify, isolectotype, paralectotype
- Related terms
- hapantotype