English

Noun

lectotype ‎(plural lectotypes)

1. (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.
   • 1905, Merrill, George P., Bulletin of the United States National Museum, Vol. 53, page 12:

     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...

Derived terms

• lectotypic
• paralectotype

Translations

See also

• hapantotype