Marine benthic diatoms in the newly discovered coral reefs, off Basra coast, Southern Iraq Author Al-Handal, Adil Y. Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Sweden Author Thomas, Evan W. Biology Department, Waubonsee Community College, Sugar Grove, Illinois, USA Author Pennesi, Chiara Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italia text Phytotaxa 2018 2018-10-12 372 2 111 152 http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.372.2.1 journal article 10.11646/phytotaxa.372.2.1 1179-3163 13728822 Trachyneis velata (Schmidt) Cleve (1894: 194) ( Fig. 60 ) References : Witkowski et al. 2000 , p. 356, pl. 159, figs 7, 8; Lobban et al. 2012 , pl. 49, figs 1, 2. Features : Length 78–120 μm, width 18–23 μm, striae 13–15 in 10 μm. Description : Valves rhombic-lanceolate with rounded apices. Valve face arched. Raphe branches straight, ending centrally in simple pores. Axial area narrow, unilateral, central area rounded, transapically dilated. Striae appear in transverse and oblique row. Transverse rows slightly radiate. Remarks : Distinguished from T. aspera (Ehrenberg) Cleve (1894: 191) in having a round central area not extending as fascia. Ecology and Distribution: A widespread marine species, particularly in warm waters. Previously reported from the Gulf (Al-Yamani & Saburova 2011). Frequent in Basra corals.