Recording a heterotypic or subjective synonym
Heterotypic or subjective synonymy occurs when different type specimens are used to define two (or more) scientific names.
Example
- In 1910 Wood identified a new zoological species Gus hus Wood, 1910.
This was a currently accepted name:
And is indicated as the original name on the Primary Citation tab (Is Original Name?: (Original Name) is set to Yes).
- In 1950, and using a different to Wood, Brown identified Jus kus Brown, 1950.
This too was a currently accepted name:
And is indicated as the original name on the Primary Citation tab (Is Original Name?: (Original Name) is set to Yes).
- In 2004 another scientist decided that though the type specimens were different these two names really refer to the same species. In this case:
- In Jus kus Brown, 1950 (the Junior synonym in this relationship because Gus hus Wood, 1910 was published first) check whether Is Original Name?: (Original Name) is set to
Yes. If so, select Unknown from the drop list.
- On the Classification tab of Jus kus Brown, 1950, select No from the Currently Accepted?: (Currently Accepted Name) drop list.
The Current Name: (Currently Accepted Name) field becomes available:
- Enter
Gus hus Wood, 1910 in Current Name: (Currently Accepted name) and click the Attach 
button beside the field.A message displays indicating that Jus kus Brown is to become a heterotypic synonym of Gus hus Wood:
- Click OK to continue and save the record.
The All Synonyms tab disappears from the Jus kus record.
Note: Only the record for the currently accepted name has the All Synonyms tab and is able to list all synonyms.
If we check the All Synonyms tab in Gus hus we find that Jus kus is added to the Synonyms List and identified as a Heterotypic synonym:
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