How to handle misidentified paratype

[James Fetzner]

Hello Taxacomers,

I have a colleague that is trying to figure out how to handle a situation where one of the four paratypes mentioned in an original species description was later found to be a different named species. How should this specimen be pointed out as being identified in error in a systematic account or synonymy?  Is it as simple as listing the specimen (and its label code) and stating it is misidentified, or should he be treating this is some other manner so as to point out the error?

Thanks!

--Jim

[Douglas Yanega]

On 5/12/26 9:24 AM, James Fetzner wrote:

I have a colleague that is trying to figure out how to handle a situation where one of the four paratypes mentioned in an original species description was later found to be a different named species. How should this specimen be pointed out as being identified in error in a systematic account or synonymy?  Is it as simple as listing the specimen (and its label code) and stating it is misidentified, or should he be treating this is some other manner so as to point out the error?

Paratypes have zero nomenclatural relevance; a misidentified paratype is simply a misidentification that just happens to be among the type series. A misidentified syntype is a nomenclatural problem, but a misidentified paratype is not. If you feel a need to mention it at all, it should be a comment like "N.B.: one of the paratypes is a misidentified specimen of taxon X".

Peace,

-- 
Doug Yanega      Dept. of Entomology       Entomology Research Museum
Univ. of California, Riverside, CA 92521-0314    phone: 951-827-4315
FaceBook: Doug Yanega (disclaimer: opinions are mine, not UCR's)
             https://faculty.ucr.edu/~heraty/yanega.html
  "There are some enterprises in which a careful disorderliness
        is the true method" - Herman Melville, Moby Dick, Chap. 82

[James Fetzner]

Thanks Doug,

That is kind of what I thought, but I wanted to defer to the experts. :)

I appreciate the quick response.

Cheers,

--Jim

[Francisco Welter-Schultes]

Dear Jim,
I have nothing more to add to Doug's resonse. Perfect answer. Just to
give you a second voice with the same content.

Best wishes
Francisco

-----
Francisco Welter-Schultes

Am 12.05.2026 um 18:54 schrieb James Fetzner:
> Thanks Doug,
>
> That is kind of what I thought, but I wanted to defer to the experts. :)
> I appreciate the quick response.
>
> Cheers,
> --Jim
>
> On Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at 12:50:30 PM UTC-4 Douglas Yanega wrote:
>
>> On 5/12/26 9:24 AM, James Fetzner wrote:
>>
>> I have a colleague that is trying to figure out how to handle a situation

>> where one of the four *paratypes *mentioned in an original species

>> description was later found to be a different named species. How should
>> this specimen be pointed out as being identified in error in a systematic
>> account or synonymy? Is it as simple as listing the specimen (and its
>> label code) and stating it is misidentified, or should he be treating this
>> is some other manner so as to point out the error?
>>
>> Paratypes have zero nomenclatural relevance; a misidentified paratype is
>> simply a misidentification that just happens to be among the type series. A

>> misidentified *syntype* is a nomenclatural problem, but a misidentified
>> *paratype* is not. If you feel a need to mention it at all, it should be

>> a comment like "N.B.: one of the paratypes is a misidentified specimen of
>> taxon X".
>>
>> Peace,
>>
>> --
>> Doug Yanega Dept. of Entomology Entomology Research Museum

>> Univ. of California, Riverside, CA 92521-0314 phone: 951-827-4315 <(951)%20827-4315>

[James Fetzner]

Thanks Francisco!

Cheers,

--Jim