Shell of the Week: The Giant Date Mussel
Curator's Corner
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.




- May 7, 2021
Shell of the Week: The Scorched Mussel


- Apr 23, 2021
Shell of the Week: The Green Mussel


- Apr 16, 2021
Shell of the Week: The American Horse Mussel


- Apr 9, 2021
Shell of the Week: The Southern Horse Mussel


- Apr 2, 2021
Shell of the Week: The Lateral Mussel


- Mar 26, 2021
Shell of the Week: The Hooked Mussel


- Mar 19, 2021
Shell of the Week: The Chestnut Mussel


- Nov 6, 2015
The Atlantic Paper Mussel