taxonomic terms

From: Richard_Berry at doh.state.fl.us on 2000.03.04 at 04:47:54(4135) I recently encountered two taxonomic terms that are new to me:  "homotypic synonym" and "heterotypic synonym". I can not find their definitions in any botanical or horticultural dictionary to which I have access.  Can someone out there help?  Thanks.

From: "Wilbert Hetterscheid" hetter at worldonline.nl> on 2000.03.04 at 17:06:24(4136) O.k., it's hardcore time: Homotypic synonym is a synonym(ous name) of a species based on the SAME type specimen that was also used previously as the basis for an older (and priorable) name. Or: at one time somebody came up with a name for a new species and anchored that name to a type specimen and later a less observant person, created a new name of that species based on that same type specimen (gosh, I DO hope you know what type specimens are, or this explanation doesn't make any sense). So the priorable name and its synonym are based on the SAME (homo-) type (-typic) specimen. Heterotypic synonym: a person creates name for a newly described species, and achors that name to a type specimen. Later another person also recognises that new species but from another specimen (apparently not having seen the previous specimen with the older new name on it [we're talking herbarium specimens or stuffed animal specimens.....]) and so he/she creates a second name (synonym) for a species but anchored this name to a specimen that is NOT the same (hetero-) specimen (-type) to which was anchored the first and priorable name. For further confusion: a type specimen is a preserved specimen of a species upon which a taxonomist has based his/her name for that species. Or better: the one specimen to which the name of a new species is forever anchored. Blah, blah, blah........ Anyone understanding this needs treatment FAST!!!!!!!! (taxonomists excepted, because they are already locked up in "herbaria"........which is a homotypic synonym for "mental institution"....). Wilbert +More -----Oorspronkelijk bericht----- Van: Richard_Berry@doh.state.fl.us Aan: Multiple recipients of list AROID-L Datum: zaterdag 4 maart 2000 5:47 Onderwerp: taxonomic terms >I recently encountered two taxonomic terms that are new to me:  >"homotypic synonym" and "heterotypic synonym". I can not find their >definitions in any botanical or horticultural dictionary to which I have >access.  Can someone out there help?  Thanks. > > >

From: "George R Stilwell, Jr." grsjr at juno.com> on 2000.03.04 at 20:23:50(4148) Gee-- I thought Homotypic synonym was where both plants were the same sex and Heterotypic synonym was where they were of opposite sex. It sounds much simpler than your explanation, Wilbert. Ray +More ________________________________________________________________ YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.

From: "Wilbert Hetterscheid" hetter at worldonline.nl> on 2000.03.05 at 14:48:59(4156) Ray, Indeed, your (s)explanation sounds much easier but alas, the terms I tried to explain are not gender-related. Wilbert +More -----Oorspronkelijk bericht----- Van: George R Stilwell, Jr. Aan: Multiple recipients of list AROID-L Datum: zaterdag 4 maart 2000 21:23 Onderwerp: Re: taxonomic terms >Gee-- > >I thought Homotypic synonym was where both plants were the same sex and >Heterotypic synonym was where they were of opposite sex. > >It sounds much simpler than your explanation, Wilbert. > >Ray > > >________________________________________________________________ >YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! >Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! >Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: >http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj. > > > >

From: "Peter Boyce" Boyce at pothos.demon.co.uk> on 2000.03.05 at 23:03:40(4160) Sadly, Ray and all others Wilbert is bang on the button. The terms are all nomenclaturally based (and you thought systematics was bad enough....) Pete

From: Richard_Berry at doh.state.fl.us on 2000.03.08 at 03:08:34(4177) Thanks for the definitions of the terms homotypic and heterotypic synonyms. Actually, I think I do understand what you were saying. I have completed a course in introductory plant taxonomy, which helped my understanding, to some degree anyway. Thanks again for taking the time to respond.

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