syntypejä

Syntype refers to a duplicate specimen of a species that is used as a type specimen in the process of taxonomic identification. The term is derived from the Greek word "syn", meaning "together with", and "typos", meaning "pattern" or "type".

In taxonomy, a type specimen is a specimen used as the reference point for the description and classification of a species. It is often used as a comparative material to identify other specimens that may belong to the same species. When a new species is described, a type specimen is typically selected as the reference point, and any other specimens that closely resemble it, but have not been formally described, are referred to as syntypes.

The use of syntypes is to facilitate the definition and interpretation of the original type description. They are typically used to clarify any potentially ambiguous or incomplete characteristics of the original type specimen. Syntypes are particularly useful when the original type specimen is lost or destroyed, or when its description is incomplete.

Syntypes are commonly used in biological classification, particularly in fields such as botany and zoology. They are formally defined and documented in the context of the original description of the species. In modern taxonomic practice, syntypes are recognized as an integral part of the process of verifying and confirming the identity of a species.

The International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) has established guidelines for the use of syntypes in taxonomic identification. These guidelines emphasize the importance of accurate documentation and clear definition of the original type specimen, as well as the recognition of syntypes as part of the taxonomic process.