SCUBAHUB
Long-clawed squat lobsters looking ready for an argument !
Long-clawed ( or rugose ) squat lobster ( Munida rugosa ) – these feisty squat lobsters with their ultra-long claws are very abundant in sea lochs and can be seen wandering across the mud , as in the background of the
16 main photo . They are most common where there are stones and ready-made crevices for shelter , but are usually bolder than other squat lobsters and can be watched feeding or arguing with neighbours .
Tower shells with an egg mass between two of them
Tower shell ( Turritellinella tricarinata ) – also called turret or auger shells , these distinctive , long , screw-like shells sometimes look as though they are strewn carelessly across the seabed . These obvious ones are often empty or inhabited by small hermit crabs . The live molluscs prefer to be at least partially buried in the sediment where their shape helps them to stay screwed into the seabed as they pump in seawater for filter feeding .
The obvious animals that I ’ ve singled out in this photo are of course only a small part of the story . Close by , there will be other smaller sea pens and sea anemones such as Cerianthus lloydii , a burrowing species that looks rather like a miniature fireworks anemone . Starfish will glide in and out of the scene , seeking out prey , and various worms and brittlestars will make an appearance along with scampi too of course . Meanwhile , unseen beneath the surface of the mud , there will be numerous other species busily going about their lives . It ’ s an amazing place ! �