holotype
noun
ho·lo·type
ˈhō-lə-ˌtīp 
ˈhä-
ˈhä-
1
: the single specimen designated by an author as the type of a species or lesser taxon at the time of establishing the group
2
: the type of a species or lesser taxon designated at a date later than that of establishing a group or by a person other than the author of the taxon
Examples of holotype in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The holotype specimen was named Bathygnathus borealis.
—
Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 30 July 2024
And here, the holotypes of Torukjara bandeirae (left) and Caiuajara dobruskii (right).
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 13 June 2024
Indeed, when there is no way of identifying what species the said fragmentary specimen belongs to, based on the lack of more complete remains, giving it a new species name should be avoided altogether until a relatively complete specimen can serve as a holotype.
—Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 14 Mar. 2018
In their 2014 paper, however, Ibrahim’s team described their dinosaur as the neotype — essentially a new holotype — replacing Stromer’s lost dinosaur as the standard-bearer of the species.
—Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 15 May 2016
Should, for example, researchers leave new fossils unclassified, or tentatively assigned to a genera, until a relatively complete specimen can serve as a holotype (the defining individual of a species)?
—Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 14 Mar. 2018
Another view of the holotype of C. yingi as it was preserved in amber for 100 million years...
—Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 5 Feb. 2018
The holotype specimen, used to describe the species, was a juvenile male given the name Karabo.
—Russ Juskalian, Discover Magazine, 20 Jan. 2016
One of the papers describes the holotype, or exemplar, of the species, as well as a second specimen.
—Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 5 Feb. 2018
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Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 30 July 2024
And here, the holotypes of Torukjara bandeirae (left) and Caiuajara dobruskii (right).
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 13 June 2024
Indeed, when there is no way of identifying what species the said fragmentary specimen belongs to, based on the lack of more complete remains, giving it a new species name should be avoided altogether until a relatively complete specimen can serve as a holotype.
—Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 14 Mar. 2018
In their 2014 paper, however, Ibrahim’s team described their dinosaur as the neotype — essentially a new holotype — replacing Stromer’s lost dinosaur as the standard-bearer of the species.
—Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 15 May 2016
Should, for example, researchers leave new fossils unclassified, or tentatively assigned to a genera, until a relatively complete specimen can serve as a holotype (the defining individual of a species)?
—Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 14 Mar. 2018
Another view of the holotype of C. yingi as it was preserved in amber for 100 million years...
—Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 5 Feb. 2018
The holotype specimen, used to describe the species, was a juvenile male given the name Karabo.
—Russ Juskalian, Discover Magazine, 20 Jan. 2016
One of the papers describes the holotype, or exemplar, of the species, as well as a second specimen.
—Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 5 Feb. 2018
Dictionary Entries Near holotype
Cite this Entry
“Holotype.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/holotype. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
holotype
noun
ho·lo·type
ˈhō-lə-ˌtīp
ˈhäl-ə-
ˈhäl-ə-
1
: the single specimen designated by an author as the type of a species or lesser taxon at the time of establishing the group
2
: the type of a species or lesser taxon designated at a date later than that of establishing a group or by another person than the author of the taxon
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