Inventory of the Marine Bryozoans of the Northeastern United States

海洋苔藓虫是重要的底栖动物， 特别是在有固体表面的地方，比如贝壳，岩石， 用来附着的海藻 该项目的目的是 对鲜为人知的海洋生物进行调查和物种清点 美国东北海岸的苔藓动物区系。 研究人员将通过1）制作新的收藏品 在缅因州和弗吉尼亚州之间尽可能多的地方，2） 分析在该地区工作的其他科学家收集的数据， （3）审查该地区博物馆现有的材料， 特别是模式标本，任何原始的描述 当地物种的基础上，任何仍然未编目的标本 他们可能有。 借助最新的扫描电子显微镜（SEM）和 电子测量技术，所有发现的物种将被研究 并发表了研究结果。 结果将是一个最新的 东北部海洋苔藓虫图解指南 美国的 它对生物学家将有很大的实际用途 研究日益加剧的环境压力， 海岸带 这对科学家和学生也很重要 对苔藓虫的进化感兴趣， 分类和新的描述，以及回答问题 家庭关系和地理分布。

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.