Biologica: Where Humans and Animals Meet7 Jan

Shells, Spirals, and Survival: exploring mollusk shell diversity

Join Dr. Susan in exploring beaches in Southwest Florida, searching for shells and discussing shell diversity with world-renowned scientist Dr. Geerat Vermeij. Dr. Vermeij has won numerous awards, published over 200 scientific articles in leading journals, and has written five books about mollusks, their shells, and more. Talking with Dr. Susan, he traces his lifelong fascination with mollusk shells, from childhood explorations to cutting edge research. He delves into 530+ million years of shell evolution and the drivers of how they look today. He and Dr. Susan both share a fascination with and appreciation for the aesthetic beauty and diversity of mollusk shells. In addition to the interview, we will go beach combing in Florida, talk about shelling with Dr. Susan’s daughter, and hear some excerpts from poetry and literature. Come discover the wonder of seashells!

Learn more:

Geerat Vermeij:

https://eps.ucdavis.edu/people/faculty/vermeij

The Shape of Life nature documentary – “Geerat Vermeij, evolutionary biologist – reading a shell”:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qC5medN9zZs

Privileged hands: a scientific life by Geerat Vermeij

https://books.google.com/books?id=lp7eUMPBjP0C&printsec=frontcover&dq=Geerat+vermeij&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjRw5bd7veRAxUyLlkFHdl2AVcQ6AF6BAgJEAM#v=onepage&q=Geerat%20vermeij&f=false

The Evolution of Power, by Geerat Vermeij:

The Evolution of Power - Google Books

Nacreous layer - Scanning Electron Microscope images of shell structure:

Typical SEM images of (a) a golden pearl and the corresponding (b, c)... | Download Scientific Diagram

Older source, but interesting SEM photos of nacre:

Tech from Nature: Ceramics Mimic Mother-of-Pearl | Live Science

Jazz musician playing music on conch shells (as featured in the episode):

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fkuq6prZHoA&list=RDfkuq6prZHoA&start_radio=1&pp=ygUTSmF6eiBvbiBjb25jaCBzamVsbKAHAQ%3D%3D

Note – some of the seashell names mentioned in the beach combing outings are local nicknames.

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