Name the beasties

The species currently have only scientific names by which to be recognised, so the search is on for "memorable common names".

Now in its second year, the Name a Species competition, run by Natural England and The Guardian, was launched on Saturday 11 June and closes on 25 June 2011.

That's not long to get a haul of names - and notification was received by Divernet yesterday, 15 June, so divers seem trusted to be inspired!

Winners will be announced in a Guardian feature on 16 July.

Of a total of 10 unknown British species listed, the five marine ones are:

Coryphella browni – a recycling sea slug;

Nymphon gracile – an undersea spider with a straw;

Phallusia mammillata – Britain’s largest sea squirt;

Sagartiogeton lacerates – a many-tentacled anemone;

Ophiura albida – a snaky star in the sand.

For full information, species photographs and entry details, go to www.guardian.co.uk/environment/series/name-a-species.