Non type specimens

[John Bruner]

On Thu, 2 Sep 2004, Cristiano Moreira wrote:
> I don't see why not. Actually, there is nothing in the code that prevents
> you from excluding any material used in the description from the
> type-series. It even states that “The type series of a nominal species-group
> taxon consists of all the specimens included by the author in the new
> nominal taxon (whether directly or by bibliographic reference), EXCEPT ANY
> THAT THE AUTHOR EXPRESSLY EXCLUDES FROM THE TYPE SERIES, OR refers to as
> distinct variants, OR doubtfully attributes to the taxon” (Article 72.4.1).
> As far as this decision is made explicit (Recommendation 72B).
> Cristiano.

In the above message from Cristiano Moreira, I direct your attention to 
the following: "The type series of a nominal species-group
taxon consists of all the specimens included by the author in the new
nominal taxon..."  In the two examples, I gave from Copeia (2002) the 
authors both excluded specimens from the type-series but included 
meristics and morphometrics from the non-type specimens in the original 
description of the species without distinguishing the meristic and 
morphometric characters as coming from non-type material.  Since the 
specimens were INCLUDED in the original description, they become part of 
the type series despite the fact the author wrote they were excluded! If 
the authors had somehow labelled the meristic and morphometric characters 
as coming from non-type material, then there would be no problem. I am 
discussing whether specimens are part of the type-series, not if the 
species is valid. INCLUDE and EXCLUDE are opposites. Including identified, 
labelled, non-type specimens in a description of a new species is 
extremely useful in paleontology.  The non-type material is often referred 
to as *Genus* cf. *species* and the unusual range in morphometrics or 
meristics is tied to the non-type material.
 	It is the inclusion of non-type material without exclusion of 
non-type material that drives authors of type catalogues for 
natural history museums up the wall.

Bruner, J. C. 1991. A catalogue of type specimens of fossil vertebrates at 
the Field Museum of Natural History. Classes Amphibia, Reptilia, Aves and 
Ichnites. Fieldiana: Geology. New series, No. 22:pp. 1-53. submitted Oct. 
15, 1987, accepted for publication January 1989.

Bruner, J. C. 1992. A catalogue of type specimens of fossil fishes at the 
Field Museum of Natural History. Fieldiana: Geology. New series, No. 
23:pp. 1-57. submitted July 31, 1989, accepted November 24,1989.

Bruner, J. C. 1992. A catalogue of type specimens of fossil Mammals at the 
Field Museum of Natural History. Chromis Enterprises, Inc. Edmonton, 
Alberta. pp. 1-70.

 	John
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