What is "allotype"

n. 1 (context zoology English) A specimen that exemplifies the opposite sex of the holotype. 2 (context immunology English) An immunoglobulin allotype is the allele of the antibody chains found in the individual.

Allotype can refer to:

• In zoological nomenclature, an allotype is a specimen of the opposite sex to the holotype, designated from among paratypes (not regulated by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature)
• In immunology, an immunoglobulin allotype

In immunology, an immunoglobulin allotype is the allele of the antibody chains found in the individual. The word allotype comes from two Greek roots, ''allo ''meaning 'other or differing from the norm' and ''typos ''meaning 'mark.' Thus allotype refers to the idea that each immunoglobin has unique sequences particular to the individual's genome that manifest in its constant region (normally).

The most important types are Gm ( heavy chain) and km ( light chain).

It can be used in resolving paternity disputes.