Brachiopods and sclerosponges dominate the inner reaches of cryptic reef habitats around the world, and probably cover more area than the reef surface itself. Yet these organisms, which offer promise in the study of food-limited population growth, have been very poorly studied. Dr. Thayer, one of the few recognized authorities on the systematics, ecology, and paleobiology of these organisms, will conduct a photocensus of undisturbed populations to record community dynamics. This information will complement a continuing record of 5 years of pilot photocensus data and will be useful to the investigator in achieving his long-range goal of understanding resource limitation in these organisms.
