Plagiotropis lepidoptera (Gregory) Kuntze (1898: 421)

Al-Handal, Adil Y., Thomas, Evan W. & Pennesi, Chiara, 2018, Marine benthic diatoms in the newly discovered coral reefs, off Basra coast, Southern Iraq, Phytotaxa 372 (2), pp. 111-152 : 131-133

Plagiotropis lepidoptera (Gregory) Kuntze (1898: 421) ( Figs 64, 65 )

References: Hendey 1964, p. 256, pl. 36, figs 2,4 (as Tropidoneis lepidoptera (Gregory) Cleve 1894: 25 ); Paddock 1988, pl. 13, figs 1–11; Witkowski et al. 2000, p. 338, pl. 174, figs 1, 2.

Features: Length 101–126 μm, width 15–18 μm, striae 18–19 in 10 μm.

Description: Frustules in girdle view rectangular, constricted in the middle with distinct wings. Valves linear elliptical with apiculate apices. Raphe central, raised upon a keel and runs along the apical axis. Axial area narrow, central area small, transversely dilated. Areolae very fine and arranged in parallel transapical striae.

Remarks: This species may reach larger sizes, Hendey (1964) reported specimens up to 280 μm long. The observed specimens were rather small but fall in the range reported previously from the Gulf.

Ecology and Distribution: A widely distributed marine and brackish water species. Previously reported from the Gulf ( Hendey 1964; Al-Yamani & Saburova). Rare in Basra corals .

Figures

FIGURES 62–74. Marine benthic diatoms in coral reefs off Basra.Fig. 62. Pleurosigma diverse-striatum, Fig. 63. Pleurosigma strigosum, Figs 64, 65. Plagiotropis lepidoptera, Fig. 66. Stauroneis sp., Fig. 67. Amphora arcuata, Fig. 68. Amphora arenaria, Fig. 69. Amphora cf. commutata, Fig. 70. Amphora cingulata, Fig. 71. Halamphora coffeaeformis, Fig. 72. Halamphora costata, Figs 73,74. Amphora graeffeana.