Two species common in the Mediterranean Sea, Murex trunculus and Murex brandaris, were the source of a costly purple dye used to color cloth in Bible times.
Nimelt saadi Vahemeres elavatest ogakodalastest Murex trunculus’est ja Murex brandaris’est kallihinnalist purpurvärvi, millega värviti piibliaegadel rõivaid.