France's Informal Empire in the Mediterranean, 1815–1830

Recent works on France's informal projection of power have begun remapping French imperialism during the nineteenth century. More studies in this vein could broaden our understanding of informal empire as an analytical category by decentring it from its roots in British imperial studies. This article argues that between 1815 and 1830, French diplomats remoulded the Regency of Tunisia into an informal imperial periphery. Although they lacked the military and economic leverage of their British counterparts, French consuls coerced the Tunisian rulers into submission by wielding threats and treaties. This strategy unfolded in three stages. First, the consuls used rumours of a possible invasion in order to impose a new vision of international law and dismantle the corsair system in the Regency. Second, they claimed French territorial sovereignty over a part of the Tunisian coast by appealing to the international legal norms enshrined in the existing treaties. And, third, the Tunisian ruler accepted most consular demands following the French invasion of Algeria in 1830. Tunisia's entrance into the French imperial orbit in turn led French diplomats to seek the establishment of French economic ascendency in Tunisia during the early 1830s.

Biometric characteristics of the wild population of sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck, 1816) on the Tunisian coast

The present study was conducted to provide biometric data of the edible sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus along the Tunisian coastline where thirteen marine localities were selected randomly. A total of 653 individuals were collected and their metric and weight measurements were recorded. The size distribution of the different samples was determined and relative growth expressions were deduced. Data analysis showed that all localities’ samples of the wild population were dominated by one-size class, except Port Prince and Haouaria. Interestingly, only diameter-height relationships (D-H) were different between the geographical localities. Diameter-weight relationships (D-TW and D-TWTE) revealed a significant negative growth for all the localities, with the exception of Gammarth which showed positive growth for total weight (D-TW). Moreover, the multivariable analysis revealed divergences and/or similarities between metric and weight variables. Altogether, data highlights the inter-population discrimination with respect to geographic localization and clear segregation between the northern and the eastern localities demonstrated the plasticity of the species.

First record of Marphysa chirigota (Annelida: Eunicidae) in the Mediterranean Sea (Gulf of Tunis)

To date, the genus Marphysa is represented by only three species, Marphysa sanguinea, Marphysa aegypti and Marphysa birgeri in the Mediterranean Sea. Combining morphological, molecular data (16S rRNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I mitochondrial loci) and environmental information, we are here presenting the first Mediterranean report of Marphysa chirigota, based on the specimens collected at Radès Station (Gulf of Tunis, western Mediterranean). The current information on the distribution of of the Marphysa species strongly supports that M. sanguinea inhabits hard bottoms and has a restricted distribution close to its type location (south English coast and nearby NE European Atlantic). The specimens from Radès Station, as well as all those reported as M. sanguinea along the Tunisian coast, were found in the shallow water soft bottoms. Therefore, we suggest that the presence of M. sanguinea in Tunisia seems is doubtful, and all Marphysa species reports from Tunisia might correspond to M. chirigota.

Morphometric and meristic character variability and relationships among populations of Boops boops (L.) from four marine stations along the Tunisian coast

The variability of 14 morphometric and seven meristic characters of Boops boops (L.) collected at four stations along the Tunisian coast was examined in 518 samples ranging from 126 to 206 mm in total length and 37 to 78 g in total weight. Statistical analysis of both sets of characters showed significant variation among the four populations in 13 (92.9%) morphometric and four (57.1%) meristic characters. CVA and cluster analysis of the morphometric characters revealed four groups corresponding to four populations, with 95.36% correct classifications of individuals to their populations of origin. However, CVA and cluster analysis of the meristic characters showed a reticulate relationship among the four populations, as there was clear differentiation between those in Monastir and Zarzis and an overlap between those in Bizerte and Kelibia, with only 51.75% of individuals correctly classified to their respective populations. This morphological differentiation among the populations from the four stations was attributed to the differences in the physico-chemical water properties at these stations. However, further studies are needed on the impact of environmental factors and diet at these stations on the morphological population structure of B. boops to better understand the contribution of environmental conditions to morphological variation.

First records of Cuvier’s beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris, G. Cuvier 1823) strandings along the Tunisian coast

The Cuvier’s beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris) is the only member of the Ziphiidae family with a regular occurrence in the Mediterranean Sea. Much of the knowledge of this species in the Mediterranean has come from stranding data. This note reports the first records of strandings of Cuvier’s beaked whales along the Tunisian coast. The two strandings described are about two specimens, likely adult animals. The first specimens was 530 cm long and beached at El Hicha (Gulf of Gabès, south Tunisia) on March 5th, 2019. The second specimens was 630 cm long and it was reported in Ras Angla (Bizerte, north Tunisia) on June 6th, 2019. Since this species faces multiple threats in the Mediterranean basin, this contribution is intended to extend previous knowledge of this species in the region and to push towards major efforts to be undertaken to fill the knowledge gaps regarding occurrence of Cuvier’s beaked whale along northern Tunisia.