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

It is one of the first members of the class Monoplacophora to have a high-quality genome published directly from its holotype specimen.

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

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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.

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

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

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