The Spiny Lobster

Designed by the master engraver Jean Combet, this issue illustrates a detailed biological study of a Spiny Lobster (Panulirus) navigating a textured, gravelly sea floor beneath the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean. Historically, this release represents a significant administrative period when the Comoro Islands operated as an overseas territory (Territoire d'outre-mer) of the French Republic, using highly detailed natural history surveys to catalog local marine wealth. By focusing on the archipelago's rich benthic fauna, the colonial postal administration highlighted the foundational components of the islands' traditional artisanal fishing economies, setting a scientific baseline for the region's diverse coral reef ecosystems.