A topotype has nothing to to with the rules of nomenclature as the other types will do. It's not important to have
a topotypus and it is without value. It's only say that the shell is coming from the typical or origin locality, but
says not more. Many collectors use the term topotype but for myself and the museum's collection I don't use.
with best shelling greetings
Helmut from Innsbruck

Helmut "Helix" Nisters
Franz-Fischer-Str. 46
A-6020 Innsbruck / Austria / Innsbruck
phone and fax: 0043 / 512 / 57 32 14
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
web:    www.netwing.at/nisters/
           (please visit it and sign guestbook)
always looking for shellgrit from all over the world
for my nearly 89 years aged mother Irmgard
to makes happy and to keep up her health

office:
Natural History Department of the
Tiroler Landesmuseum Ferdinandeum Innsbruck
Feldstrasse 11 a
A-6020 Innsbruck / Austria / Europe
phone: 0043 / 512 / 58 72 86 - 37
web: www.tiroler-landesmuseum.at
        (specimen donations to the
         Tiroler Landesmuseum molluscs collection
         are always appreciated)

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Subject: question about topotype


> A question,
> I have a shell identified as Lampsilis radiata Gmelin, 1792 and apparently
> with synonym of Unio rosaceus DeKay, 1843.
>
> The text on the label reads "Topotype of DeKay's species, 'Seneca Lake,
> N.Y.'"
>
> Just what do they mean by a Topotype?
>
> Thanks,
> Wayne
>
>
>