GUIDELINES FOR THE CURATION OF GEOLOGICAL MATERIALS

4.4.2.6. Status
A specimen acquires a 'status' when its existence is in some way specifically
recognised in a publication. The recognition may be of several kinds.
In taxonomy, the definitions and descriptions of a taxon are published and the
name given to the taxon is determined by means of nomenclatural types. As far as
species are concerned, the 'type' of the species is a specimen (Holotype) (or
group of specimens - Syntypes and Paratypes) which provides a fixed point of
reference against which the application of species names can be unequivocally
decided.
The type concept is complex and rigidly governed by the Codes of Nomenclature
(see B4.4.2.2(1)). The terms applied to palaeontological types are governed
by the same rules and they should be used with the utmost care. Many type-terms
have been used loosely in the past, or have had no valid status at all. With
minerals, nomenclature has not been governed by a code, and the type concept is
poorly defined and not strictly applied, but nevertheless is expressed by many of
the same terms. Further explanation of the type concept is given in E2.4 (see also
Jeffrey 1973; Torrens 1974; Roberts 1981).
The list of taxonomic terms for Palaeontology is given below, together with
those for Mineralogy, where their usage may be different.
Fossils
Holotype
Syntype
Lectotype
Neotype
Paratype
Topotype
Minerals
Holotype
Cotype
Metatype
ldeotype
Plesiotype
Neotype
Topotype
Specimens also acquire a degree of status by being figured in scientific journals.
Type specimens are commonly figured with their original descriptions and
definitions. Other specimens may be illustrated at the same time for comparative
purposes; yet others may appear subsequently. Any such illustrated specimens are
classed as FIGURED.
Some curators accord an informal status to specimens illustrated in popular
works, text-books, etc. These may be recorded as FIGURED: POPULAR.
Specimens in museum collections may be consulted by workers who, in their
final publications may draw attention to them. Where a specimen has been
specifically referred to (by identity number or other unambigous parameter) the
specimen is given the status of being CITED. Where a specimen is referred to in
only general terms, and is not uniquely identifiable, it is termed as a REFERRED
specimen, (e.g. "a small group of associated teeth from Lewes in the Willett
Collection"). The documentation of 'status' geological specimens is arguably the
most important part of a curator's job. Copies of all the publications referring to
them should be obtained and filed in History Files (see B4.4.7.3). Recommendation
72G of the ICZN (1985) states that:
"Every institution in which name-bearing types are deposited should
(1) ensure that all are clearly marked so that they will be unmistakably
recognised as name-bearing types;