The main difference between holotype and lectotype is that holotype is one specimen that serves as the nomenclature type, whereas lectotype serves as the nomenclature type if no holotype is available.
Holotype and lectotype are two samples used to illustrate specimens in biology. They are the type of biological samples.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Holotype
– Definition, Characteristics, Importance
2. What is Lectotype
– Definition, Characteristics, Importance
3. Similarities Between Holotype and Lectotype
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Holotype and Lectotype
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Holotype, Lectotype
What is Holotype
The holotype is an example of the organism used while describing the species. It can be a single physical example or one of the several examples. According to the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN), it is one of the several name-bearing types. For example, Plebejus idas longinus contains one preserved specimen of that subspecies. Also, it can be held by a major museum, such as the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard University. Importantly, the isotype in botany is a duplicate of the holotype; they are often two pieces of the same individual plant. Also, the haplotype should not be typical for a particular taxon, but ideally, it is.
Figure 1: Type of Agrias phalcidon phalcidon Bertrandi Female
Furthermore, just a fragment of an organism can also be a holotype in the case of a fossil. For example, a fossil leg stored at the Natural History Museum in London is a holotype of Pelorosaurus humerocristatus (Duriatitan), a large herbivorous dinosaur from the early Jurassic period. The specimen is not replaced when a better specimen is found. However, in the absence of the original holotype, the neotype is later appointed as the holotype. The lectotype can also become the holotype in the absence of the original specimen.
What is Lectotype
The lectotype is a specimen selected later as the single-type specimen. Originally, it was described as a set of syntypes. It is one of the two or more specimens in the description where no holotype is described. Under the present requirements, based on the syntypes, the holotype is described by the taxonomists. Also, in zoology, a lectotype is the name-bearing type. A species can be described according to the name-bearing type when multiple specimens are present. One of the specimens among those can be designated as a lectotype. Importantly, the presence of a single name-bearing type reduces the potential confusion of the species. Especially, a series of syntypes can have more than one species.
Figure 2: Homo Sapiens
Moreover, the lectotype is described as the holotype in the absence of the original holotype. For example, the lectotype of the species Homo sapiens becomes the holotype.
Similarities Between Holotype and Lectotype
- Holotype and lectotype are two specimen types used to illustrate some theory.
Difference Between Holotype and Lectotype
Definition
Holotype refers to a single type specimen upon which the description and name of a new species is based. At the same time, lectotype refers to a biological specimen or illustration later selected to serve as a definitive type example of a species or subspecies when the original author of the name did not designate a holotype.
Significance
The holotype is the specimen that serves as the nomenclature type, while the lectotype is the nomenclature type if no holotype is available.
Importance
The holotype is a single specimen clearly described in the original description, while the lectotype is the name-bearing specimen when multiple specimens are available.
Conclusion
In brief, holotype and lectotype are two specimens used to illustrate a scientific concept. The holotype is a single type of specimen in a description. Also, it serves as a nomenclature type. In contrast, a lectotype is the nomenclature species when multiple specimens are present. Additionally, it is important when the designated holotype is not available. Therefore, the main difference between holotype and lectotype is their significance.
References:
- Wikimedia Foundation. (2023ae, September 8). Type (biology). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_(biology)
Image Courtesy:
- “AgriasPhlacidonBertradiF2” By AgriasphalcidonphalcidonBertrandiF.JPG: Notafly – Own work (CC-BY SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
- “Akha cropped hires” By Weltenbummler84 – Own Work (CC-BY SA 2.0 de) via Commons Wikimedia
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