As noted by Charlie and Paul, some species have extensive series of
paratypes, and a few of those going into private collections does not
seriously affect the scientific availability of type material.  On the
other hand, when only a handful of specimens exist, paratype material
becomes more important.  This is especially the case when the type is
lost, as happens when holotypes are sold into private collections and
misplaced, mislabeled, etc. or when earthquakes, bombs, poor funding,
careless curation, postal error, etc. damage or lose institutional
specimens.  Of course, there's also the issue of ensuring that the
paratypes are conspecific with the type.

--
Dr. David Campbell
425 Scientific Collections
University of Alabama
"I think of my happy condition, surrounded by acres of clams"

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