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 Diploneis cf. interrupta (Kützing) Cleve (1894: 84) ( Fig. 35 ) References : Hustedt 131–1959, figs 1019a; Krammer & Lange-Bertalot 1986 , p. 292, pl. 112, figs 5, 6; Witkowski et al. 2000 , p. 188, pl. 94, figs 17–19, Pennesi et al. 2017, p. 198, figs 10–16. Features : Length 52–68 μm, width 18–22 μm, striae 9–12 in 10 μm. Description : Valves panduriform, constricted at the center with rounded apices. Raphe fissures straight. Axial area broad, longitudinal canals linear, slightly convex on the outer margin. Transapical striae parallel at the center, strongly radiate near the apices. Ecology and Distribution: A widespread species in marine and brackish water. Previously reported from the Gulf (Al-Yamani & Saburova 2011). Rare in Basra corals.