In taxonomy there is a term for the specimen

[Kali]

In taxonomy there is a term for the specimen from which a species is described.


I will die or at least be unable to go to sleep until I remember this word. Please help!




context:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x3931951

[AlienGirl]

1. Nominate? nt

[petronius]

2. Type specimen?

[Kali]

5. something like this aaarrrrgggg

I can't find it anywhere!!!! Those collections of dead birds in museums, usually the first or best is the...the.... the...:banghead:

something-otype? not phenotype, Oh man this is going to dirveme nuts.

[darkstar]

3. Couple of stabs (largely in the dark)

Exemplum? Exemplar?
Generis?
Typica?

[Richard Steele]

4. The word is "holotype".

http://www.sel.barc.usda.gov/scalenet/glossary.htm

[Kali]

6. THANKYOU

:woohoo:

Excellent - can I buy you a beer? :toast:


I can sleep!

[DemBones DemBones]

8. Is that only a zoological term? -- the list was headed

as being zoological taxa.

[DemBones DemBones]

7. "Type specimen" is the term I've always used,

although I admit to being old enough to remember when there were only two kingdoms: Plnatae and Animalia. I would not be surprised to learn that some taxonomists are using a more esoteric term.

However, a Google search shows that many sources (Harvard, NY Botanical Garden, Amsterdam Zool. Museum, etc.) are still using the term "type specimen."

[Richard Steele]

9. "Type Specimen" is what I had always heard. "Holotype" was new to me.

But when it turned up on the Google,
I figured that it was the word the OP wanted.