Data were collected to:
- i) investigate the spatial distribution and temporal changes in the biology of H.whitmaei (Bell, 1887)(from the perspective of activity, feeding and reproduction), and,
- ii) provide an overall synthesis of the results, whilst placing an emphasis on the strategies that may have facilitated the persistence of H. whitmaei in outer reef environments; zones which due to their physical and oceanographic characteristics, could be considered unfavourable for deposit feeding, broadcast spawners.