Diversite taxonomique des bryozoaires cheilostomes au large du golfe de Tunis.

Abstract

Cheilostome Bryozoans of the Gulf of Tunis were undertaken from superficial sediment sampled by dredging aboard the R/V HANNIBAL. Fifty five species were recorded from Tunis Gulf, among them ten were new additions to the Tunisian recent inventory (Electra verticillata, Beania hirtissima, Porella concinna, Hemicylopora collarina, Escharina dutertrei, Celleporina caminata, Palmicellaria elegans, Turbicellepora coronopusoidea, Reteporella aporosa and Reteporella sudbournensis). Most species were described especially using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) illustrations. The identification key of genus was given. Currently, cheilostome bryozoans count 183 species against 174 in the last catalogue of d'Hondt and Mascarell (2004).