Abstract
The present work provides a first insight into the structure of epiphytic diatom assemblages inhabiting some dominant vegetation of the Huwaiza marsh, which is one of the most ecologically important wetlands in the Middle East. A total of 74 taxa belonging to 38 genera were recorded, of which Cocconeis placentula var. euglypta and Fragilaria pulchella predominate. Epiphytic diatom assemblages in Huwaiza marsh are a mixture of truly freshwater taxa (oligohalobous, 39%), brackish water taxa (mesohalobous, 33%) and marine forms (polyhalobous, 12%). Marine taxa have probably been transported into the marsh from the sea.
