In zoological nomenclature, a syntype is any of two or more specimens listed in a species description where a holotype was not designated, a practice which was common historically. Those syntypes which have not been replaced are still considered name-bearing types. Historically, syntypes were often explicitly designated as such, and under the present Code this is a requirement in order for the designation to be valid, but modern attempts to publish species description based on syntypes are generally frowned upon by practicing taxonomists.