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 Let me know, Kind Regards James P.S. My copy of the compendium is outdated. How many Calliostoma atlantis specimens are there now? ___________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]