Triple-Level Marine Life Quiz

So you think you know your UK marine life - but how well? Paul Naylor's test will separate the masterminds from those who need to go back to school

Just as dives can be shallow, middling or deep, our knowledge of the wonderful marine life we meet in UK waters can be basic, good or extensive.
Which is not to imply for one moment that shallow dives are in any way basic, I hasten to add - in fact they are among my favourites, because you get to see so much more, in better light and for longer.
Anyway, use this quiz to establish the depth of your marine-life knowledge. Note that Latin names aren't expected even in the 'deep' questions (with one worthwhile exception),but are included in some answers for completeness and clarity.

a = Shallow, b = Middling, c = Deep
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1a) What are these spectacular animals? 1b) Why has the one on the right got such bold stripes? 1c) What are their eggs often known as?	1
2a) What is a very familiar name for this animal? 2b) Where does it usually live? 2c) What are its three other common names?	2
3a) What are these colourful creatures? 3b) What do they feed on? 3c) Roughly how many have been recorded per square metre in their dense aggregations?	3
4a) What type of animal does this close-up show? 4b) Which species is it? 4c) What is the function of the groups of bumps around the spines?	4
5a) Which species is this, often found on wrecks? 5b) What other colours does it come in? 5c) Why does it look as if something has been nibbling its base?	5
6a) What type of animal is this? 6b) Is it male or female? 6c) Which species is it?	6
7a) Is this seaweed? 7b) What group does it belong to? 7c) What is said to be its characteristic smell?	7
8a) What type of animal makes the yellow bumpy structure? 8b) How does it feed? 8c) What makes this species unusual?	8
9a) What would happen if you trod on this fish in the shallows? 9b) What is it? 9c) What is the best way to reduce the effect?	9
10a) What is this animal? 10b) What does it eat? 10c) How can tiny amounts of pollution from anti-fouling paint affect it?	10
11a) To what group does this colourful fish belong? 11b) Why is it so colourful? 11c) What's it doing here?	11
12a) Is this animal more closely related to a sea cucumber, fan worm or coral? 12b) What is it? 12c) What's special about this species?	12
13a) Why is this starfish such a peculiar shape? 13b) Which species is it? 13c) What is the obvious white spot on its body?	13
14a) What is this fish? 14b) Which close relative is virtually extinct around most of the UK? 14c) Why doesn't it clog up its gills when it lies in the sand?	14
15a) Is this pair of velvet swimming crabs mating? 15b) When is a female crab ready to mate? 15c) Is this crab a herbivore, carnivore or omnivore?	15
16a) What type of animal is this? 16b) What is its delightful name? 16c) What are its less-than-delightful land-based relatives?	16
17a) Is this a blenny or a goby? 17b) Which species, and where is it found? 17c) What colour does the male turn when guarding eggs?	17
18a) What sort of animals are these? 18b) Which species? 18c) What is so special about their larvae?	18
19a) Is this a jellyfish to steer clear of? 19b) What type is it? 19c) What are the little fish often found living among its tentacles?	19
20a) What animal is this? 20b) What is its Latin name? 20c) Where does it breed?	20

See the Answers

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