A discussion of the classesChlamydophyceae andChlorophyceae and their subordinate taxa

The diagnostic characters alleged byEttl (1981) andEttl &Komarek (1982) to distinguish the ClassesChlamydophyceae andChlorophyceae 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.