The Tusk Shells of Southwest Florida
Here are the tusk shells (families Dentaliidae and Fustiariidae, class Scaphopoda) living along the coast of Southwest Florida. In the family Dentaliidae:....
Curator’s Corner
Museum, research, and collection updates from Dr. José H. Leal, plus Shell of the Week, which highlights a different species every other Friday. Most Shells of the Week are found in Southwest Florida.
Dr. José H. Leal serves as the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium’s Science Director and Curator. He received his Ph.D. in Marine Biology and Fisheries from the University of Miami and has served at the Museum since 1996.
FUM 2026 – Save the Date!
A gentle reminder: The next meeting of Florida United Malacologists (FUM) will take place at the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium, Sanibel Island, Florida, on Saturday...
Shell of the Week: The Roostertail Conch
Aliger gallus is one of the true conchs in the family Strombidae. It is closely related to the renowned Queen Conch, Aliger gigas. The Roostertail Conch gets its name from ...
Our Poster at the 2025 AZA Annual Convention
This week, at the 2025 Annual Conference of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums in Tampa, Florida, aquarists Carly Hulse and Claire D’Agostino presented work...
Shell of the Week: The Van Hyning’s Cone
Conasprella vanhyningi (Rehder, 1944) is a small cone snail that may reach up to 25 mm in size. Its shell is covered with small bumps, or pustules, and is usually salmon-pink to white in color. The species was named...
Carditids of Southwest Florida
Here are the four species of carditids (Family Carditidae, not to be confused with Cardiidae, the cockles) present along the coast of Southwest Florida:...
A Much-Appreciated Nudibranch Tribute
Everyone has their moments of vanity—it’s part of the human condition, I guess. So, allow me to momentarily indulge and introduce to you...
The Tornids of Southwest Florida
For our brave-of-spirit and keen-of-eye readers and enthusiasts, here are the microgastropods in the family Tornidae (vitrinellas and scale snails) found along the shores of Southwest Florida...
The Common Periwinkle
During a recent visit to the coast of southern Maine, I observed and photographed Common Periwinkles. Littorina littorea...
Time-lapse Video of Exhibits Installation
Time-lapse photography is a terrific way to show progress and the transformations that take place during the construction of buildings, plant growth,...