The Chordates all possess some kind of backbone. This covers a vast range of life-forms; from the primitive Sea Squirt up to (the supposedly advanced…) Homo sapiens!

(4 Albums, 1 Gallery)

Their latin name means literally “spiny skin”. They all feature 5 part radial symmetry, an internal calcium carbonate skeleton and a hydraulic system which controls their motor functions.

(3 Albums, 2 Galleries)

One of the last relatively unexplored lifeforms; we seem to have several bryozoans around here that don’t appear in any of the few reference guides available. If only we had the time (and an electron microscope)…

(1 Gallery)

Nudibranch/Sea Slugs, Sea Snails, Bivalves, Squid and Octopus. Great biodiversity and a whole load of really fascinating beasties. We like a mollusc!

(4 Albums)

Crabs, Prawns, Shrimps, a Lobster and some Barnacles. A diverse group that all have an external skeleton, jointed limbs, antennae and compound eyes.

(1 Album, 4 Galleries)

Some tube dwelling beasties that stick things out to feed, plus the crawling, poisonous fire/bristle worms and the parasitic marine leeches.

(7 Galleries)

Sometimes confused with the Nudibranchs, these relatively primitive beasts can glide along the bottom and occasionally swim by undulating their bodies.

(2 Albums, 5 Galleries)

Corals, Anemones, Corallimorpharians, Hydroids and Jellyfish; a massive range of mainly colonial invertebrate animals with an incredible variety of life forms. They are all radially symmetrical with tentacles around a central mouth, a primitive gut and stinging cells.

(4 Albums, 2 Galleries)

A simple life-form and yet a fascinating range of shapes, sizes and colours. High species diversity and many complex associations with other organisms; which is good going for sedentary filter-feeders!

(5 Galleries)

The most primitive life form and the foundation of the food chain, supplying a massive network. Including various algae, sea weeds, grapes and grass.

(4 Galleries)