Milwaukee Public Museum | Wisconsin's Natural History Museum

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Thursday - 7/16/26

6:00pm - Science on Tap - Onsite (not on sale yet)

Details

Bewildering Biodiversity: What Florida’s Ancient Seashells Reveal about Species Extinction and Survival

Presented by Dr. Jonathan R. Hendricks, Robert & Sally Manegold Associate Research Curator of Paleontology at the Milwaukee Public Museum.

Just beneath Florida's surface are quarried deposits that contain countless fossil seashells that lived and died during the past several million years. These shell beds are some of the richest accumulations of fossils anywhere in the world and they are critical for understanding the ancient roots of modern bivalve and snail biodiversity in this region. Thousands of mollusk species have been reported from these beds and more await discovery. Some of the fossils represent species that have gone extinct. Others, however, remain alive today and the features of their shells may help us to learn why they survived and how they will fare in the future.

You can help us with this research! From 6-7 p.m., grab a drink and participate in Dr. Hendrick’s research during the Science on Tap social hour.

The lecture will begin at 7 p.m.