On the variety generated by all semigroups of order three. (Q652165)

Denote by \(\mathbf S_n\) the variety generated by all semigroups of order \(n\). Marcel Jackson proved that the variety \(\mathbf S_n\) contains uncountably many subvarieties if \(n\geq 4\), and it follows from existing results that the variety \(\mathbf S_2\) contains precisely 32 subvarieties. However, the number of subvarieties of the variety \(\mathbf S_3\) has been unknown [see \textit{M. Jackson}, J. Algebra 228, No. 2, 512-535 (2000; Zbl 0959.20052), Question 3.18]. It is shown that all subvarieties of the variety \(\mathbf S_3\) are finitely based. Consequently, the variety \(\mathbf S_3\) contains countably infinitely many subvarieties. The varieties \(\mathbf S_2\) and \(\mathbf S_3\) are finitely based [see \textit{L. N. Shevrin} and \textit{M. V. Volkov}, Sov. Math. 29, No. 11, 1-64 (1985); translation from Izv. Vyssh. Uchebn. Zaved., Mat. 1985, No. 11(282), 3--47 (1985; Zbl 0629.20029), Section 10]. \textit{M. V. Volkov} proved that the variety \(\mathbf S_n\) is non-finitely based for all \(n\geq 5\) [see Math. Notes 45, No. 3, 187-194 (1989); translation from Mat. Zametki 45, No. 3, 12-23 (1989; Zbl 0692.20048)]. The authors give a finite basis for the variety \(\mathbf S_3\).