Catalog of the type specimens of stony corals (Milleporidae, Stylasteridae, Scleractinia) in the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution. - Cairns, S.D. (Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology, 1991)
A taxonomic and cross-referenced alphabetic catalog is presented of all stony coral type specimens deposited in the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) as of 1990. The following categories of types are included: holotype, paratype, lectotype, paralectotype, neotype, and syntype. The type specimens of 1107 nominal taxa are cataloged, including 156 calcified hydrozoans (Milleporidae, Stylasteridae) and 951 taxa of Scleractinia. Five data categories are included for each taxon in the alphabetic list: kind of type; catalog number; locality reference; number and nature of specimens; and geologic age. Optional remarks include references to senior synonyms, new generic combinations, authorships of neo- and lectotype designations, and other pertinent nomenclatural data. Special problems concerning the interpretation of the type status of species described by J.D. Dana and T.W. Vaughan are discussed; a table is presented listing new species subsequently derived from Dana's (1846) monograph. A separate bibliography is given of the 185 publications whereins tony coral types are designated that are deposited at the NMNH. Visitation to the NMNH for the purpose of examining the coral collection, and loans, gifts, and exchanges of scientifically valuable corals are encouraged. One taxonomic action is contained herein; Flabellum floridanum is proposed for Flabellum fragile Cairns, a junior primary homonym of Flabellum cuneiforme var. fragile Vaughan.