Epitypes

[Thomas G. Lammers]

At 10:36 AM 05-13-98 GMT+2, Riaan Stals, Snuitkewer wrote:

>I am an entomologist, i.e. bowing to the International Code of
>Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN). I have no idea what an epitype is,
>and the ICZN makes no mention of the concept.
>
>Please fill this gap in my knowledge!

If a holotype is equivocal (e.g., if the species includes two subspecies
based on seed or fruit characters, but the type has only flowers),
subsequent authors may designate a supplementary specimen (an epitype) to
effectively establish the subspecies to which the holotype belongs.  It's a
relatively new provision, and I'm not sure how often it has been invoked to
date.


Thomas G. Lammers

Classification, Nomenclature, Phylogeny and Biogeography
of the Campanulaceae, s. lat.

Department of Botany
Field Museum of Natural History
Roosevelt Road at Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60605-2496 USA

e-mail:    tlammers at fmnh.org
office:          312-922-9410 ext. 317 (voice-mail)
home:     630-759-4280
fax:                312-427-2530
http:    www.fmnh.org/candr/academic_affairs/collection_report/cv_lammers.htm

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