holotype
HO-luh-type
Definition
The single, specific physical specimen that was originally used to describe and name a new species or genus.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek 'holos' meaning 'whole' or 'entire' and 'typos' meaning 'type' or 'imprint.' It refers to the individual specimen that serves as the total or primary reference for a scientific name.
In the news
In the article, the skull CMNH 7541 is referred to as the holotype; because it is the defining specimen for the name Nanotyrannus, determining its age was essential to confirming that the genus is distinct from T. rex.
For decades, paleontologists argued that a small tyrannosaur found in Montana’s Hell Creek Formation was merely a young T. rex. Then, within five weeks in late 2025, independent studies in Nature and Science showed its bones belonged to mature animals
Read the full article ↗ScienceBlog.com