Benthos, a Greek word that means “bottom”, refers to the community of organisms that live at the bottom of the marine floor – whether fixed to it, partially buried in it or moving around but never going very far from it.

From rocky to sandy beds and from well-lit waters to absolute obscurity, benthos is present in a wide diversity of environments, playing host to organisms that have adapted in surprising ways.

Violet sea urchin (Sphaerechinus granularis) 

Red starfish (Echinaster sepositus) 

Other common marine organisms that can be found in this community:

• Common octopus (Octopus vulgaris)