Equationally defined classes of semigroups (Q6145356)

In a previous paper [J. Algebra 555, 131--156 (2020; Zbl 1471.20038)] with a similar title, the authors show that a class of algebras is closed under existential embeddings, the taking of direct products and of homomorphic images (it is an `EHP-class') if and only if it is defined by systems of equations. With the overall emphasis being on semigroups, the concept is illustrated by the class of completely regular semigroups, defined by the equations \((\forall a)(\exists x): (a = axa) \wedge (ax = xa)\). In the first part of this paper, the examples of the earlier paper are expanded. The main theorem of the paper states that an EHP-class of semigroups is \text{existential}, that is, it has a basis of equations free of the \(\forall\) operator, if and only if it is closed under the taking of containing semigroups. As the authors say, this is a sort of dual to the Birkhoff theorem (which of course requires equations free of the \(\exists\) operator). On the other hand, for types of algebras such that every algebra contains a one-element subalgebra, closure under taking of containing semigroups obviously yield all algebras of that type. The authors go on to prove that the class of equation systems satisfied in the class of all semigroups is decidable; they conclude with an investigation of EHP-classes requiring both types of alternation of quantifiers.