• ALGAE
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.85-90
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• 2016

It is shown by the heterogenous nature of Borzi’s description and illustrations that Hormotila mucigena Borzi, the generitype of Hormotila, should be redefined. Borzi’s original description and accompanying illustrations of Hormotila (constituting the protologue) correspond to a minimum of five distinct genera of green algae. Two distinct concepts of the genus have persisted over the years. The genus has become based on a combination of palmelloid and physiologically stressed forms of two of the component algae. Our understanding of the genus is further confused by the incorporation of unrelated unicellular and colonial coccoid forms. There are only one or two distinctive attributes that would allow the selection of any one of the five forms as representing the genus and species. One of Borzi’s original figures is proposed to redefine the original species of the genus, Hormotila mucigena.