The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum recently played host for the 2022 annual meeting of the Florida United Malacologists (FUM), a vibrant community of researchers, collectors, scholars, citizen scientists, enthusiasts, and students in the field of malacology: the study of mollusks.
“One of the unique aspects of FUM is that all have a voice, from local shell enthusiasts to seasoned scientists,” said event organizer Dr. José H. Leal, Science Director and Curator of the National Shell Museum. “FUM provides a forum for cross-platform collaborations and mutual learning at levels unknown in more formal academic gatherings.”
The meeting covered a diverse series of topics including the latest in molluscan biodiversity, conservation, genetics, and ecology. Eighteen speakers presented to an audience of 90 attendees on topics such as the lifespan and conservation status of the iconic Horse Conch, studies of microplastics levels in Tampa Bay, novel enrichment strategies for mollusks in public, and educational aquariums.
This was the twelfth year of FUM, with the first event taking place at the Museum in 2010. Visit ShellMuseum.org/2022-fum to view presenter abstracts and learn more.
