holotype

[hol-uh-tahyp, hoh-luh-]

noun

Biology.

1. the type specimen used in the original description of a species.

holotype

/ ˈhɒləˌtaɪp, ˌhɒləˈtɪpɪk /

noun

1. biology another name for type specimen

holotype

1. The single specimen or illustration designated as the type for naming a species or subspecies or used as the basis for naming a species or subspecies when no type has been selected.

2. Also called type species

Other Word Forms

• holotypic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of holotype¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; holo- + -type

Example Sentences

This first specimen described, called the holotype, still resides in the Natural History Museum in London.

From Science Daily

The result of this rich digital data is a 'cybertype' of a single animal, rather than a physical 'holotype' that is traditionally found in museum collections.

From Science Daily

Seago is currently applying for a grant to help locate, consolidate, and digitize holotype specimens at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History.

From Salon

But in Brazil, 90% of holotype fossils described by foreign researchers were housed in foreign collections, which goes against Brazilian law.

From Science Magazine

According to the new proposal, Sue, the Field Museum’s nearly complete T. rex, is now the holotype — the specimen that anchors a species name — of Tyrannosaurus imperator.

From New York Times