Codium bursa (Linnaeus) C.Agardh 1817

Publication Details
Codium bursa (Linnaeus) C.Agardh 1817: xxiv

Published in: Agardh, C.A. (1817). Synopsis algarum Scandinaviae, adjecta dispositione universali algarum. pp. [i]-xl, [1]-135. Lundae [Lund]: Ex officina Berlingiana.

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Publication date: Mai-Dec 1817 (p. vii: i Mai 1817)

Type Species
The type species (holotype) of the genus Codium is Codium tomentosum Stackhouse.

Status of Name
This name is of an entity that is currently accepted taxonomically.

Basionym
Alcyonium bursa Linnaeus

Type Information
Type locality: "in O. Europaeo."; (Silva & al. 1996: 898)

Origin of Species Name
Noun (Latin), A genus name used by C. Bauhin; also a purse; originally an oxhide, animal skin (Newton 1931).

General Environment
This is a marine species.

Created: 31 March 1996 by M.D. Guiry.

Last updated: 09 April 2021

Verification of Data
Users are responsible for verifying the accuracy of information before use, as noted on the website Content page.

Nomenclatural note
The type of Alcyonium bursa Linnaeus was considered to be the basionym for a sponge, Weberella bursa (L.) (M. Spencer-Jones in Spencer, Irvine & Jarvis (2009: 239). However, Van Soest & Plotkin (2021: 196) concluded "(a) Alcyonium bursa Linnaeus, 1758 is NOT the basionym for a sponge, as Linnaeus's references do not contain any recognisable sponge. (b) The sole extant original material is NOT an illustration in Ellis (1755), because this is preceded by a clearly different illustration in J. Bauhinus (1651), volume III, page 794. It is illogical and unreasonable to select Linnaeus's fourth reference in preference over the first reference (and two additional supporting references). (c) The illustrations in plate 17, figs B,C,D in Ellis (1755) depict clearly a tunicate, NOT a sponge. The statement of Spencer et al. (2009) cited above is thus contradictory. (d) The correct authorship for Codium bursa would seem to be Linnaeus, 1758, not Olivi, 1792. Olivi's authorship was erroneously promoted under ICBN Art. 58.1, because the basionym was assigned to a metazoan (either sponge or tunicate) based on an unsupported personal communication. (e) The true author for the sponge Weberella bursa is Vosmaer, 1885, and his specimens represent the type material." - (28 May 2008) - M.D. Guiry

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Citing AlgaeBase
Cite this record as:
M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 09 April 2021. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. https://www.algaebase.org; searched on 04 July 2025

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