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.

January 3, 2014

A Unique Lettered Olive

Shellers are always looking for that rare or unusual shell. But a unique, one-of-a-kind Lettered Olive? That’s exactly what Tom and Deb Longtin of Waukesah, Winconsin, found while shelling at Tarpon Bay Beach at low tide. This Lettered Olive (Oliva sayana), which the Longtins donated to the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, is technically defective (having a very long spire), most likely because of a “programming” (genetic) error. The resulting effect, however, is very pleasing to the eye. [Th