Re: Labrosaurus (was RE: birds and dinosaurs)

["Jaime A. Headden" <qilongia@yahoo.com>]

Phil Bigelow (bigelowp@juno.com) wrote:

<Does that mean that a neotype is also a referred specimen?>

  A neotype is usually a referred specimen, i.e., is a part of the
hypodigm.

  In response to another aspect of this thread, the use of the term
"topotype:"

 A topotype can be distinguished at ANY time, and there can be any number
of topotypes. An example: the holotype of *Rioarribasaurus* (and now the
neotype of *Coelophysis* by application to the ICZN) has almost 200
topotypes because of the association of blocks and fossils from the Ghost
Ranch Quarry type locality. If today an extension of the same level of
blocks were to be found, those specimens would be topotypes. There cannot
be "_a_ topotype" as in the sense of "_a_ holotype," as if there is only
one.

  In extension, the paratype or syntype series, however, MUST be
topotypes, i.e., occur in the same area and locality/formation as the
holotype itself. If a syntype series is designated at any point, the
holotype MUST be a portion of it, and all other specimens of the series
are paratypes. The paratype MUST be defined at the same time as the
holotype, if at all. Paratypes, plastoparatypes, syntypes, and
plastosyntypes, as well as neotypes, are referred specimens, and
correspond to the hypodigm. Specimens from other localities, such as the
Portuguess *Allosaurus fragilis,* are NOT topotypic, nor are the specimens
from the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry. Only specimens from Dinosaur
National Monument would be topotypic for Chure's new *Allosaurus* species.

  Cheers,

=====
Jaime A. Headden

  Little steps are often the hardest to take.  We are too used to making leaps 
in the face of adversity, that a simple skip is so hard to do.  We should all 
learn to walk soft, walk small, see the world around us rather than zoom by it.

"Innocent, unbiased observation is a myth." --- P.B. Medawar (1969)


                
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