diff --git a/app/models/person.rb b/app/models/person.rb
index c78f4de1f4..1e87ef08fc 100644
--- a/app/models/person.rb
+++ b/app/models/person.rb
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ class Person < ActiveRecord::Base
   has_many :collecting_events, through: :collector_roles, source: :role_object, source_type: 'CollectingEvent'
   has_many :taxon_determinations, through: :determiner_roles, source: :role_object, source_type: 'TaxonDetermination'
   has_many :taxon_name_authors, through: :taxon_name_author_roles, source: :role_object, source_type: 'TaxonName'
-  has_many :type_specimens, through: :type_designator_roles, source: :role_object, source_type: 'TypeSpecimen'
+  has_many :type_material, through: :type_designator_roles, source: :role_object, source_type: 'TypeMaterial'
 
   #scope :named, -> (name) {where(name: name)}
   #scope :named_smith, where(last_name: 'Smith')
diff --git a/app/models/protonym.rb b/app/models/protonym.rb
index 62c0e72d38..4d81b2ede4 100644
--- a/app/models/protonym.rb
+++ b/app/models/protonym.rb
@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@ class Protonym < TaxonName
     where("taxon_name_relationships.type LIKE 'TaxonNameRelationship::OriginalCombination::%'")
   }, class_name: 'TaxonNameRelationship', foreign_key: :object_taxon_name_id
 
+  has_many :type_material
+
   # subject                      object
   # Aus      original_genus of   bus
   # aus      type_species of     Bus
@@ -45,7 +47,6 @@ class Protonym < TaxonName
         has_one d.inverse_assignment_method.to_sym, through: relationship, source: :subject_taxon_name
       end
     end
-
   end
 
   scope :named, -> (name) {where(name: name)}
@@ -62,7 +63,6 @@ class Protonym < TaxonName
   scope :with_taxon_name_classification_array, -> (taxon_name_class_name_base_array) { includes(:taxon_name_classifications).where('taxon_name_classifications.type in (?)', taxon_name_class_name_base_array).references(:taxon_name_classifications) }
   scope :without_taxon_name_classification, -> (taxon_name_class_name) { where('id not in (SELECT taxon_name_id FROM taxon_name_classifications WHERE type LIKE ?)', "#{taxon_name_class_name}")}
   scope :without_taxon_name_classification_array, -> (taxon_name_class_name_array) { where('id not in (SELECT taxon_name_id FROM taxon_name_classifications WHERE type in (?))', taxon_name_class_name_array) }
-
   scope :without_taxon_name_classifications, -> { includes(:taxon_name_classifications).where(taxon_name_classifications: {taxon_name_id: nil}) }
 
   scope :that_is_valid, -> {
@@ -84,6 +84,50 @@ class Protonym < TaxonName
                     :validate_source_type,
                     :new_parent_taxon_name
 
+
+
+  def list_of_coordinated_names
+    if self.incorrect_original_spelling.nil?
+      search_rank = NomenclaturalRank::Iczn.group_base(self.rank_string)
+      if !!search_rank
+        if search_rank =~ /Family/
+          z = Protonym.family_group_base(self.name)
+          search_name = z.nil? ? nil : NomenclaturalRank::Iczn::FamilyGroup::ENDINGS.collect{|i| z+i}
+          #search_name = z.nil? ? nil : "#{z}(ini|ina|inae|idae|oidae|odd|ad|oidea)"
+        else
+          search_name = self.name
+        end
+      else
+        search_name = nil
+      end
+
+      unless search_name.nil?
+        list = Protonym.ancestors_and_descendants_of(self).
+            with_rank_class_including(search_rank).
+            with_name_in_array(search_name).
+            as_subject_without_taxon_name_relationship_base('TaxonNameRelationship::Iczn::Invalidating::Synonym') # <- use this
+        #list1 = self.ancestors_and_descendants                               # scope with parens
+        #list1 = list1.select{|i| /#{search_rank}.*/.match(i.rank_class.to_s)} # scope on rank_class
+        #list1 = list1.select{|i| /#{search_name}/.match(i.name)}              # scope on named
+        #list1 = list1.reject{|i| i.unavailable_or_invalid?}                   # scope with join on taxon_name_relationships and where > 1 on them
+      else
+        list = []
+      end
+    else
+      list = [self.incorrect_original_spelling.object_taxon_name]
+    end
+    return list
+  end
+
+  def ancestors_and_descendants
+    Protonym.ancestors_and_descendants_of(self).to_a
+  end
+
+  def self.family_group_base(name_string)
+    name_string.match(/(^.*)(ini|ina|inae|idae|oidae|odd|ad|oidea)/)
+    $1
+  end
+
   protected
 
   def incorrect_original_spelling
@@ -221,49 +265,6 @@ def sv_fix_coordinated_names
     return fixed
   end
 
-  def list_of_coordinated_names
-
-    if self.incorrect_original_spelling.nil?
-      search_rank = NomenclaturalRank::Iczn.group_base(self.rank_string)
-      if !!search_rank
-        if search_rank =~ /Family/
-          z = Protonym.family_group_base(self.name)
-          search_name = z.nil? ? nil : NomenclaturalRank::Iczn::FamilyGroup::ENDINGS.collect{|i| z+i}
-          #search_name = z.nil? ? nil : "#{z}(ini|ina|inae|idae|oidae|odd|ad|oidea)"
-        else
-          search_name = self.name
-        end
-      else
-        search_name = nil
-      end
-
-      unless search_name.nil?
-        list = Protonym.ancestors_and_descendants_of(self).
-            with_rank_class_including(search_rank).
-            with_name_in_array(search_name).
-            as_subject_without_taxon_name_relationship_base('TaxonNameRelationship::Iczn::Invalidating::Synonym') # <- use this
-        #list1 = self.ancestors_and_descendants                               # scope with parens
-        #list1 = list1.select{|i| /#{search_rank}.*/.match(i.rank_class.to_s)} # scope on rank_class
-        #list1 = list1.select{|i| /#{search_name}/.match(i.name)}              # scope on named
-        #list1 = list1.reject{|i| i.unavailable_or_invalid?}                   # scope with join on taxon_name_relationships and where > 1 on them
-      else
-        list = []
-      end
-    else
-      list = [self.incorrect_original_spelling.object_taxon_name]
-    end
-    return list
-  end
-
-  def ancestors_and_descendants
-    Protonym.ancestors_and_descendants_of(self).to_a
-  end
-
-  def self.family_group_base(name_string)
-    name_string.match(/(^.*)(ini|ina|inae|idae|oidae|odd|ad|oidea)/)
-    $1
-  end
-
   def sv_type_placement
     # type of this taxon is not included in this taxon
     if !!self.type_taxon_name
diff --git a/app/models/taxon_name.rb b/app/models/taxon_name.rb
index 8f2dee162f..216fe18b8c 100644
--- a/app/models/taxon_name.rb
+++ b/app/models/taxon_name.rb
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-
 class TaxonName < ActiveRecord::Base
 
   include Housekeeping
@@ -9,7 +8,6 @@ class TaxonName < ActiveRecord::Base
   acts_as_nested_set scope: [:project_id]
 
   belongs_to :source 
- 
   has_many :taxon_name_classifications
 
   #relationships as a subject
@@ -66,12 +64,6 @@ class TaxonName < ActiveRecord::Base
         where('tnr1.subject_taxon_name_id IS NULL AND tnr2.object_taxon_name_id IS NULL')
   }
 
-  soft_validate(:sv_missing_fields, set: :missing_fields)
-  soft_validate(:sv_parent_is_valid_name, set: :parent_is_valid_name)
-  soft_validate(:sv_source_older_then_description, set: :source_older_then_description)
-
-
-
   validates_presence_of :type, message: 'Type is not specified'
   validates_presence_of :rank_class, message: 'Rank is a required field', if: Proc.new { |tn| [Protonym].include?(tn.class)}
   validates_presence_of :name, message: 'Name is a required field', if: Proc.new { |tn| [Protonym].include?(tn.class)}
@@ -83,11 +75,14 @@ class TaxonName < ActiveRecord::Base
                     :validate_parent_is_set,
                     :check_new_rank_class,
                     :check_new_parent_class,
-                    :validate_source_type
+                    :validate_source_type,
+                    :set_cached_name,
+                    :set_cached_author_year,
+                    :set_cached_higher_classification 
 
-  before_validation :set_cached_name,
-              :set_cached_author_year,
-              :set_cached_higher_classification
+  soft_validate(:sv_missing_fields, set: :missing_fields)
+  soft_validate(:sv_parent_is_valid_name, set: :parent_is_valid_name)
+  soft_validate(:sv_source_older_then_description, set: :source_older_then_description)
 
   def all_taxon_name_relationships
     # (self.taxon_name_relationships & self.related_taxon_name_relationships)
diff --git a/app/models/type_designator.rb b/app/models/type_designator.rb
index 2f740ce67f..9aea0ae410 100644
--- a/app/models/type_designator.rb
+++ b/app/models/type_designator.rb
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
 class TypeDesignator < Role::ProjectRole
-
   include Housekeeping
 end
diff --git a/app/models/type_material.rb b/app/models/type_material.rb
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..fe03a1cd03
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/models/type_material.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+class TypeMaterial < ActiveRecord::Base
+  belongs_to :source
+
+ include Housekeeping
+  include Shared::Citable
+
+  ICZN_TYPES = {
+   'holotype' =>  Specimen,
+   'paratype' => Specimen,
+   'neotype' => Specimen,
+   'lectotype' => Specimen,
+   'paratypes' => Lot,
+   'syntypes' => Lot
+  }
+     
+  ICN_TYPES = {}
+
+  belongs_to :material, foreign_key: :biological_object_id, class_name: 'CollectionObject'
+  belongs_to :protonym
+  has_many :type_designator_roles, class_name: 'TypeDesignator', as: :role_object
+  has_many :type_designators, through: :type_designator_roles, source: :person
+
+  validates :protonym, presence: true
+  validates :material, presence: true
+  validates_presence_of :type_type
+
+  validate :check_type_type
+
+  protected
+
+  def check_type_type
+    if self.protonym
+      code = self.protonym.rank_class.nomenclatural_code 
+      if (code == :iczn && !ICZN_TYPES.keys.include?(self.type_type)) || (code == :icn && !ICN_TYPES.keys.include?(self.type_type))
+        errors.add(:type_type, 'Not a legal type for the nomenclatural code provided') 
+      end
+    end
+  end
+
+end
diff --git a/app/models/type_specimen.rb b/app/models/type_specimen.rb
deleted file mode 100644
index 0b964fc6e4..0000000000
--- a/app/models/type_specimen.rb
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,12 +0,0 @@
-class TypeSpecimen < ActiveRecord::Base
-
-  include Housekeeping
-  include Shared::Citable
-
-  belongs_to :biological_object
-  belongs_to :taxon_name
-
-  has_many :type_designator_roles, class_name: 'TypeDesignator', as: :role_object
-  has_many :type_designators, through: :type_designator_roles, source: :person
-
-end
diff --git a/db/migrate/20140128221223_create_type_materials.rb b/db/migrate/20140128221223_create_type_materials.rb
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ba4bb5b150
--- /dev/null
+++ b/db/migrate/20140128221223_create_type_materials.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+class CreateTypeMaterials < ActiveRecord::Migration
+  def change
+    create_table :type_materials do |t|
+      t.integer :protonym_id
+      t.integer :biological_object_id
+      t.string :type_type
+      t.references :source, index: true
+      t.integer :created_by_id
+      t.integer :updated_by_id
+      t.integer :project_id
+
+      t.timestamps
+    end
+  end
+end
diff --git a/db/migrate/20140128221713_drop_type_specimen_table.rb b/db/migrate/20140128221713_drop_type_specimen_table.rb
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..dbaf13480c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/db/migrate/20140128221713_drop_type_specimen_table.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+class DropTypeSpecimenTable < ActiveRecord::Migration
+  def change
+    drop_table :type_specimens 
+  end
+end
diff --git a/spec/factories/type_material_factory.rb b/spec/factories/type_material_factory.rb
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..446922a60c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spec/factories/type_material_factory.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+FactoryGirl.define do
+  factory :type_material, traits: [:housekeeping] do
+    factory :valid_type_material do
+      type_type 'holotype'
+      association :protonym, factory: :iczn_species
+      association :material, factory: :valid_specimen 
+    end
+  end
+end
+
diff --git a/spec/factories/type_specimen_factory.rb b/spec/factories/type_specimen_factory.rb
deleted file mode 100644
index 579097abbc..0000000000
--- a/spec/factories/type_specimen_factory.rb
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,9 +0,0 @@
-# Read about factories at https://github.com/thoughtbot/factory_girl
-
-FactoryGirl.define do
-  factory :type_specimen, traits: [:housekeeping] do
-    biological_object nil
-    taxon_name nil
-    type_type "MyString"
-  end
-end
diff --git a/spec/models/person_spec.rb b/spec/models/person_spec.rb
index f07cd81973..ecd2240339 100644
--- a/spec/models/person_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/person_spec.rb
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@
       end
 
       specify 'type_designations' do
-        expect(person).to respond_to(:type_specimens)
+        expect(person).to respond_to(:type_material)
       end
      end
 
@@ -177,9 +177,9 @@
       specify 'is_type_designator?' do
         expect(@vp).to respond_to(:is_type_designator?)
         expect(@vp.is_type_designator?).to be_false
-        type_specimen = FactoryGirl.create(:type_specimen)
-        type_specimen.type_designators << @vp
-        type_specimen.save!
+        type_material = FactoryGirl.create(:valid_type_material)
+        type_material.type_designators << @vp
+        type_material.save!
         @vp.reload
         expect(@vp.is_type_designator?).to be_true
       end
diff --git a/spec/models/type_material_spec.rb b/spec/models/type_material_spec.rb
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..52fb39e335
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spec/models/type_material_spec.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,92 @@
+require 'spec_helper'
+
+describe TypeMaterial do
+  let(:type_material) { FactoryGirl.build(:type_material)  }
+
+  context 'associations' do
+    context 'belongs to' do
+      specify 'protonym' do
+        expect(type_material).to respond_to(:protonym)
+      end
+      specify 'material' do
+        expect(type_material).to respond_to(:material)
+      end
+      specify 'source' do
+        expect(type_material).to respond_to(:source)
+      end
+    end
+  end
+
+  context 'validations' do
+    context 'require' do
+      before(:each) {
+        type_material.valid? 
+      }
+      specify 'protonym' do
+        expect(type_material.errors.include?(:protonym)).to be_true
+      end
+
+      specify 'material' do
+        expect(type_material.errors.include?(:material)).to be_true
+      end
+
+      specify 'type_type' do
+        expect(type_material.errors.include?(:type_type)).to be_true
+      end
+    end
+
+    context 'Protonym restrictions and linkages' do
+      before(:each) {
+        @iczn_type = FactoryGirl.build(:type_material, protonym: FactoryGirl.build(:iczn_species))
+        @icn_type = FactoryGirl.build(:type_material, protonym: FactoryGirl.build(:icn_species))
+      }
+
+      specify 'type_type is one of ICZN_TYPES.keys for ICZN name' do
+        @iczn_type.type_type = 'foo'
+        @iczn_type.valid?
+        expect(@iczn_type.errors.include?(:type_type)).to be_true
+        expect(@iczn_type.errors.messages[:type_type]).to eq(['Not a legal type for the nomenclatural code provided'])
+        @iczn_type.type_type = 'holotype'
+        @iczn_type.valid?
+        expect(@iczn_type.errors.include?(:type_type)).to be_false
+      end
+
+      specify 'type_type is one of ICN_TYPES.keys for ICN name' do
+        pending
+      end
+    end
+
+    context 'Material restrictions' do
+      before(:each) {
+        type_material.protonym = FactoryGirl.build(:iczn_species)
+      }
+
+      specify 'type_type restricts the BiologicalObject subclass to an _TYPES.value' do
+      end
+
+      specify 'collection_object is a BiologicalCollectionObject' do
+      end
+    end
+
+    context 'type_type restrictions' do
+      pending 'only one of holotype, lectotype, neotype per iczn species'
+    end
+
+  end
+
+  context 'methods' do
+    before(:each) {
+      iczn_type = FactoryGirl.build(:valid_type_material)
+      icn_type = FactoryGirl.build(:valid_type_material, protonym: FactoryGirl.build(:icn_species))
+    }
+    pending 'Source is the Protonym source when not provided locally.'
+    pending 'TypeDesignator role(s) should be possible when a specific person needs to be identified as the person who designated the type' 
+    pending 'a source citation can identify (override the source_id in Protonym) where the type designation was made' 
+  end
+
+  context 'soft validation' do
+      pending 'no source provided if self.source.nil && self.protonym.source.nil?'
+  end
+
+end
+
diff --git a/spec/models/type_specimen_spec.rb b/spec/models/type_specimen_spec.rb
deleted file mode 100644
index f254175549..0000000000
--- a/spec/models/type_specimen_spec.rb
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,33 +0,0 @@
-require 'spec_helper'
-
-describe TypeSpecimen do
-  let(:type_specimen) { TypeSpecimen.new }
-
-  context 'associations' do
-    context 'belongs to' do
-      
-      specify 'taxon_name' do
-        expect(type_specimen).to respond_to(:taxon_name)
-      end
-
-      specify 'biological_object' do
-        expect(type_specimen).to respond_to(:biological_object)
-      end
-    end
-  end
-
-  context 'validations' do
-    pending 'type_type should be defined in a constant for iczn'
-    pending 'type_type should be defined in a constant for icn'
-    pending 'taxon_name should always be type Protonym'
-  end
-
-  context 'methods/options' do
-    pending 'a constant should relate type_type to valid biological_object subclass' do
-      # for example {holotype: Specimen, syntype: Specimen, syntypes: Lot, paratypes: Lot, paratype: Specimen}
-    end
-    pending 'TypeDesignator role(s) should be possible when a specific person needs to be identified as the person who designated the type' 
-    pending 'a source citation can identify where the type designation was made' 
-  end
-
-end