The holotype is THE specimen used to describe a species.  Thus all other
members of the species are measured against it.  A paratype is a member of
the original group of shells containing the holotype.  I think.  Or it's
one of THE specimens used to describe the species (when more than one).
I'm sure someone will clear up my confusion.  HTH
 
Peter
Independence, MO
 
At 08:26 PM 3/15/99 -0600, James M Cheshire wrote:
>Dear all, I have to admit, this is sort of a dumb question
>for me to ask, as I should know, but I don't. What does the word
>"holotype" mean?
>How can I tell if a shell is holotype? I have heard of another word
>called "paratype" too.
>Like, for example, in the compendium, the description of Calliostoma
>atlantis goes:
>
>Calliostoma atlantis Clench and Aguayo,
>1940. Off Pinar del Rio, Cuba, in 660 m.
>Known only from this holotype specimen.
>
>Can anybody help?
>
>Let me know,
>Kind Regards James