Overview
Every published scientific name is permanently linked to a type specimen (or specimens), which provides a reference point for the correct use of the name. Type specimens are consequently essential for determining the application of scientific names. A holotype is a single specimen designated as the name-bearing type. Syntypes are each specimen of a type series from which there is no designated holotype. A paratype is any specimen from the type series (i.e. a specimen referred to in the original type description) other than the holotype, where one has been identified. A lectotype is a syntype that was designated as the single name-bearing type specimen some time after the original description of the species or subspecies. Images of all Te Papa's bird types are available on Collections Online.