Male-biased selection of holotypes in parasite taxonomy: is it justified?. Issue 11 (November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Poulin, Robert; Presswell, Bronwen; Bennett, Jerusha
• Is Part Of: Trends in parasitology. Volume 38:Issue 11(2022)
• Page Start: 926
• Page End: 929
• Publication Date: 2022-11
• Subjects: Acanthocephala -- allotype -- museum collections -- Nematoda -- species description -- type specimen; Parasitology -- Periodicals; Parasitology -- Periodicals; Biology -- Periodicals; Parasitology; Biology; Parasitologie -- Périodiques; Online resources; 571.999
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2022.08.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-4922

Abstract

Abstract : When a new parasite species is identified, a name-bearing specimen or holotype is designated as its reference standard. For most acanthocephalans and nematodes, the holotype is male, a bias which lacks scientific justification. We propose ways of redressing this imbalance and achieving fuller representation of each species in museum collections.