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 Amphiprora sulcata O’Meara (1871: 22) . ( Fig. 101 ) References : Peragallo & Peragallo, 1897 –1908, pl. 38, figs 1–5; Al-Yamani & Subarova 2011, pl. 157, pl. 168, figs a–h. Features : Length 120–140 μm, width 16–24 μm, striae 11–12 in 10 μm. Description : Frustules rectangular, constricted in the middle with biarcuate sides. Transapical striae curved in the middle, becoming parallel towards apices. Puncta on the wings arranged in decussating rows. Remarks : This species can be recognized from other taxa of the genus by the coarse puncta on valve wings, which are arranged in obliquely decussating rows. Ecology and Distribution: A marine species widely distributed in warm waters. Previously reported from the Gulf ( Simonsen 1974 , Al-Yamani & Saburova 2011). Frequent in Basra corals.