Clarification of the nomenclature of the seagrass Halophila baillonii Ascherson

Abstract Seagrassesin the Tropical Atlanticregion include ten species, five of which are from the Halophilagenus. One of these species, the clover grass Halophilabaillonii , is currently considered as vulnerable by the IUCN( Red List), with a fragmented distribution in the Caribbean, Atlantic Ocean in Brazil and in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. There is confusion as to the correct nomenclaturefor this species with both H. baillonii and H baillonis treated as synonyms. Here, we clarify that given that the first description of the species was provided by Ascherson in 1875, following the International Codeof Nomenclaturefor algae, fungi, and plantsbased on the first valid publication with a diagnosis of the taxon, the correct nameto be used for this species is Halophilabaillonii Ascherson and should be referred to as such in the future.