Surirella fastuosa (Ehrenberg) Ehrenberg (1843: 388)

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 : 144

Surirella fastuosa (Ehrenberg) Ehrenberg (1843: 388) ( Fig. 109 )

References: Hendey 1964, p. 288, pl. 40, fig. 4; Witkowski et al. 2000, p. 414, pl. 215, figs 1–3, pl. 216, fig.?4¸ Stidolph et al. 2012, pl. 6, figs 122–126.

Features: Length 68–110 μm, width 38–55 μm, marginal alae 2 in 10 μm.

Description: Valves broadly ovate. Costae well-spaced, 1–2 in 10 μm, narrowed towards valve center. Central area lanceolate. Striae very fine and confined to marginal area.

Remarks: Valve outline is rather variable in this species; central area may take different shapes and structure. The image given by Hendey (1970, pl. 5, fig. 45) from coastal water of Kuwait as S. recedens A.Schmidt (1875: 19) is rather similar to S. fastuosa .

Ecology and Distribution: A widespread marine species, but can also be found in brackish water as in Shatt Al-Arab estuary, Southern Iraq ( Al-Handal 2009). Previously reported from the Gulf (Al-Yamani & Saburova 2011). Frequent in Basra corals.

Figures

FIGURES 103–110. Marine benthic diatoms in coral reefs off Basra. Fig. 103. Campylodiscus bicostatus, Fig. 104. Campylodiscus crebrecostatus, Fig. 105. Campylodiscus daemelianus, Fig. 106. Campylodiscus decorus, Fig. 107. Campylodicus imperialis, Fig. 108. Petrodictyon gemma, Fig. 109. Surirella fastuosa, Fig. 110. Campylodiscus neofastuosus.