Curator's Blog

Museum, research, and collection updates from Dr. José H. Leal, plus Shell of the Week, which highlights a different species every Friday. Most Shells of the Week—but not all—are found in Southwest Florida.

Dr. José H. Leal serves as the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum’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. Under his leadership, the Museum was awarded its first accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums in 2010.

José H. Leal

May 27, 2016

The Sharp-rib Drill

The Sharp-rib Drill, Eupleura sulcidentata Dall, 1890, was first featured in this column in March 2015. Its shell has a "flattened" appearance, thanks to the blade-like varices ("ribs") that occur alternately every 180 degrees (every half-whorl). Sharp-rib Drills use their ribbon of teeth, known as radula, to etch tiny holes into the shells of other mollusks. Part of the feeding process, the holes allow the drill to inject paralyzing compounds into the prey's tissues. As many

José H. Leal

Mar 20, 2015

The Sharp-rib Drill

The shell of the Sharp-rib Drill, Eupleura sulcidentata Dall, 1890, has a “flattened” appearance, thanks to the blade-like varices (“ribs”) that occur alternately every 180° (every half-whorl). There may be two or three “bumps,” or nodes, present between last two varices. Color variable, often grayish-white to tan, sometimes with brown spiral bands. The shell is not uncommon on the barrier islands beaches, in particular after winter storms. Sharp-rib Drills use their teeth, a

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events

Curator's Blog

The Sharp-rib Drill

The Sharp-rib Drill