Kleptotype

[1][2][3][4] The term is composed of klepto-, from the Ancient Greek κλέπτω (kléptō) meaning "to steal",[5][6] and -type referring to type specimens.

[citation needed] During the Second World War biological collections, like the herbarium in Berlin have been destroyed.

[7][8] In some cases only kleptotypes have survived the destruction, as the type material had been removed from their original collections.

[10] It can cause problems, as researchers have to search in multiple collections to get a complete perspective on the displaced material.

[2] It is paramount that types remain intact, as they are an irreplaceable resource[11] and point of reference.