paratype

This term is used exclusively within the highly specialized field of biological taxonomy. It refers to a specimen that was part of the original series used by the author to describe a new species, but was not selected as the single holotype. While the holotype is the primary name-bearing specimen, paratypes provide critical data on the range of physical variation within the population.

In a professional museum or academic setting, paratypes are treated as permanent reference materials. They are essential for researchers who need to verify if a new discovery belongs to an existing species or represents a distinct new taxon, ensuring that the species description is not based on a single, potentially anomalous individual.