Unnecessary “axiotypes”

Contrary to common perception, the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature does not contain provisions that turn (ichno)specific names into nomina dubia if their holotype is lost or destroyed. Such names are only nomina dubia if the original diagnosis and/or description is insufficient to recognise the taxon. For this reason, there is no need to introduce a category “axiotype” to be recognized in the Code as a possible name-bearing type, as proposed recently. The designation of neotypes is tied to a formalized process that can be the ultima ratio under certain conditions only.