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 debyi (Leuduger-Fortmorel) Cleve (1894: 193) ( Fig. 59 ) References : Simonsen, 1974 : p. 43, Pl. 27: 1; Pl. 28: 1; Desikachary, 1989 , pl. 762, fig. 11; Al-Handal, 2009 : p. 26, figs 191, 193. Features : Length 90–140 μm, width 19–26 μm, striae 10–12 in 10 μm. Description : Valves narrowly lanceolate with rounded apices. Valve face strongly arched. Raphe branches straight, ending centrally in simple pores. Axial area narrow, slightly asymmetrically dilated in one direction, central area rounded, transapically dilated, with two semi-lunate furrows on each side. Areolae are irregular in shape and arranged in transverse and oblique rows. Transapical rows parallel throughout. Ecology and Distribution: A widespread marine species, particularly in warm waters. Previously reported from the Gulf ( Hendey 1970 , Simonsen 1974 , Al-Handal 2009 , Al-Yamani & Saburova 2011). Frequent in Basra corals.