Great British Marine Animals by Paul Naylor – in pictures

A spawning sunstar stands up to release its eggs. The eggs of this species are unusually large and yolky, and the individual ones (small orange spheres) can be seen drifting off in the current Photograph: Paul Naylor/The Wildlife Trusts

Male corkwing wrasse take on colourful livery when they are building and defending their nest. This one’s nest was among green and purple snakelocks anemones Photograph: Paul Naylor/The Wildlife Trusts

Muddy seabeds in deep water have many beautiful inhabitants. The orange claws of a Norway lobster, often used to make scampi, can be seen protruding from its burrow behind the phosphorescent sea pen Photograph: Paul Naylor/The Wildlife Trusts

In very calm conditions, the scenery in shallow water among a thongweed forest can be stunning; and it can easily be seen by snorkelers, not just divers. Photograph: Paul Naylor/The Wildlife Trusts

Large male hermit crabs carry small females around before mating, generally dragging them by the shell Photograph: Paul Naylor/The Wildlife Trusts

Sea slugs like this one have no hard shell and can crawl only slowly. They rely on deterrent chemicals in their skin to repel predators Photograph: Paul Naylor/The Wildlife Trusts

Beds of maerl (calcified seaweed nodules) are incredibly rich habitats Photograph: Paul Naylor/The Wildlife Trusts

Showing the potential diversity in our seas; an edible crab, plumose anemone, boring sponge, two small hermit crabs (one with its shell enveloped in orange sponge) and a painted goby all in a small patch of seabed Photograph: Paul Naylor/The Wildlife Trusts

Pairs of tompot blennies can be found in rocky crevices. They often seem agitated but it is difficult to tell whether a particular pair is courting or engaged in some sort of rivalry Photograph: Paul Naylor/The Wildlife Trusts

Long-clawed squat lobsters live in the rocky crevices in sea lochs. Disputes between two of them, over a particular hiding place or piece of food, are common Photograph: Paul Naylor/The Wildlife Trusts

A multi-skilled cuttlefish hunting. It has sophisticated buoyancy control, jet propulsion, a sophisticated brain and an ability to change its pattern and colour that would put a chameleon to shame Photograph: Paul Naylor/The Wildlife Trusts