Studies of the marine biology of Antarctic coastal and oceanic environments date back well over a century. Past and contemporary studies of Antarctic marine biology have revealed a rich and varied marine biota, in many respects unlike any temperate or tropical counterpart. Collectively, these studies have been of great interest to Antarctic and non-Antarctic biologists alike. However, non- Antarctic biologists rarely have access to meetings devoted to Antarctic marine biology. McClintock and Pearse request funds to support a national symposium which will review past, current and future directions in the field of Antarctic marine biology for non- Antarctic researchers. The symposium will be held in conjunction with the joint American Society of Zoologists (ASZ)/Western Society of Naturalists (WSN) meeting Dec. 27-31, 1988 in San Fransisco, California. Fourteen invited speakers, who are among the foremost researchers in the field, will present an overview of the marine biology of this unique environment. Invitations to attend the symposium will be sent to approximately 100 polar marine biologists, and an announcement will be forwarded to members of the ASZ and WSN, and be published in a variety of scientific journals. Proceedings will be published in the American Zoologist. The symposium will provide a unique opportunity for non-Antarctic biologists to become familiar with important topics in Antarctic marine biology from those who are at the forefront of the field.
