Marine bryozoans are important bottom-dwelling animals, especially where there are solid surfaces like shells, rocks or seaweed for colonies to attach. The purpose of this project is to carry out a survey and species inventory of the little known marine bryozoan fauna of the northeast coast of the United States. Researchers will accomplish this by 1) making new collections in as many locations as possible between Maine and Virginia, 2) analyzing collections made by other scientists working in the area, and 3) examining material already in museums in the region, especially the type specimens, on which any original descriptions of local species were based, and any still uncataloged specimens they may have. By means of the latest scanning electron microscope (SEM) and electronic measuring techniques, all species found will be studied and the findings published. The result will be an up-to-date illustrated guide to the marine bryozoans of the northeastern United States. It will be of great practical use to biologists studying the increasingly environmentally stressed northeastern coastal zone. It will be important also to scientists and students interested in bryozoan evolution, providing a current classification and new descriptions, as well as answering questions about family relationships and geographical distribution.
