Cowries, who were
specially abondant in Gabès gulf,
are, to day, in constant regression on the impact of pollution and
eutrophication due to the discharges of industrial phophate wastes
in the gulf.
Zonaria
pyrum- 45mm
in length
Luria
lurida -
52 mm in length
Luria lurida
and Zonaria pyrum are Atlantic subtropical sea-shells extremely
variable in shape as
well in coloration (click on shape and
coloration to know more about these cowries).
Ranella
olearia - Oil-
vessel triton-
This carnivorous gastropod
can reach 25 cm in length. It
lives on mud coarse (gravel) bottoms between 50 et 200 m depth. In Tunisia
it is only present in the north and specially in
Tabarka area where it is oversfished
to sell to the tourists.
Photos by
J. Zaouali