I agree with Helmut that topotypes has nothing to do with the nomenclature
rules, but topotypes could very usefull ! I working for several years on
asian land molluscs and it is not always possible to get some types in loan
from musea for several reasons. Often only a  holotype excists in bad shape.
It this case a nice sample of topotypes is very helpfull. Possible Helmut
thinks this is not the case in european land molluscs but as I collect many
times in former Yugoslavia and it was always the main goal to collect on
type-localities in order to collect some larger samples of topotypes as are
available in the collections of musea to compare.


> -----Oorspronkelijk bericht-----
> Van:  Helmut Nisters [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Verzonden:    zondag 11 juni 2000 7:09
> Aan:  [log in to unmask]
> Onderwerp:    AW: question about topotype
>
> 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)
>
> ----------
> 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
> >
> >
> >