Allotypes -Reply

[Denis Brothers]

Doug has really started something here! It appears now that his main
concern is with how specimens are curated and recorded rather than with
what the ICZN has to say.  I thus suggest that he house "allotypes" with
the primary types and separately from the other specimens if that suits him,
and lets other collection managers do what they feel is best in their
circumstances.  I also feel that concepts should not be confused by
allowing later designation of paratypes.  Doug's concern about no
specimens being available for neotype designation if there are no
paratypes is also groundless since a neotype can be any specimen (it is
lectotypes that have to be parts of the original type series).  Let's not
confuse curatorial convenience (or otherwise) with nomenclatural
precision.
Denis Brothers                                     brothers at zoology.unp.ac.za
University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg
South Africa