"Pioneer Investments will reinforce Amundi's product expertise, broaden its distribution channels and networks, and generate significant synergies," said Amundi Chairman Xavier Musca in a statement.

When asked for an update, Crédit Agricole deputy chief executive Xavier Musca told reporters the situation hadn’t changed, sending shares sharply lower.

The male Musca corvina, whose portrait is given on Plate I., has a body which appears to consist of alternate stripes of yellow and brown.