Loving Icons to Death: The Story of Florida’s Horse Conch

​The Florida Horse Conch is one of the largest marine gastropods in the world with a maximum shell length of about two feet. Although the species is prized by collectors and fished commercially, the combination of overharvesting and habitat losses are pushing populations to their limits. Dr. Herbert discusses the natural history of horse conchs and shows how the geochemistry of their shells helps wildlife managers understand this species’ capacity to recover. 

Greg Herbert, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Geosciences at the University of South Florida in Tampa, where he conducts research on marine conservation, molluscan biology and evolution, and isotope geochemistry. Dr. Herbert received his Ph.D. in Geology from the University of California, Davis and a B.S. in Philosophy from Loyola University in New Orleans.  He is the former Director of the Institute for the Advanced Study of Culture and Environment at the University of South Florida.

Registration is required; includes choice of wine, beer, non-alcoholic beverage, and light snack.

Cost: $10 or FREE for Museum Members (memberships to be confirmed upon registration)