A discussion of the classes Chlamydophyceae and Chlorophyceae and their subordinate taxa.

The diagnostic characters alleged by Ettl (1981) and Ettl & Komarek (1982) to distinguish the Classes Chlamydophyceae and Chlorophyceae are discussed. The recognition of these classes ignores ultrastructural evidence of the close phylogenetic relationships of their members and produces an artificial redistribution of orders, families, and genera that can only lead to confusion in the taxonomy of the green algae. Suggestions for a more natural classification are made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]