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Rare species

1-Typhis sowerbyi-

12 mm in length.

This very small species, extremely rare, was collected in the Bibans lagoon (eastern southern part of Tunisia).

2-Charonia rubiconda-Knobbed triton-

31 cm in length.

This very large seashell which can reach 40 cm is a"Canarian" species who lives, in northern Tunisian sea, on sand near rocky bottoms.

3-Phalium saburon Saburon helmet -50 mm in length.
Les Esquerquis (north-west of Tunis gulf). This very rare "Senegalian" species lives on deep sandy mud bottoms.

4-Xenophora mediterranea - 45 mm in length
This species lives in very deep gravel bottoms. It is relatively abondant near les Esquerquis.

5-Latiaxis cariniferus-Babel's latiaxis - 32 mm in length.
This red colored seashell was collected on hard bottoms in northen Tunisian sea (Cap Bon). This "Canarian" species lives as a parasite on madreporas.

It is possible to consider these species as bioindicators of a well preserved environment.
Photos by J. Zaouali