An Experimental Taxonomic Study of the Algae Confused Under the Name Gomontia Polyrhiza

Abstract

Culture studies on the morphology, development and, in some cases, on the life-histories of green shell-boring algae, have shown that in Britain there are at least six species which could be confused under the name Gomontia polyrhiza Born, et Flah. Of these six species it has been possible to identify only four, namely Eugomontia sacculata and Entocladia perforans and Codiolum stages in the life-histories of Codiolum polyrhizum and Monostroma grevillei. The possibility that there are as yet unidentified life-histories involving more shell-boring Codiolum stages has been suggested.