September 10th, 2011

TBFC opens up the season with Dr. Blaine Schubert. Dr. Schubert has quickly become one of the foremost experts of Ice Age bears, cave fossils and just about any fossil species found in the south. He’s also becoming another paleo-television celebrity with many appearances already on History Channel specials and one episode of Monster Quest (I’ll let him explain that one).

Dr. Schubert will discuss new fossil material from the Gray Fossil Site in Tennessee and various sites in Florida. Some of this material represents expansion of geographic ranges, and others are entirely new species that fill gaps in the fossil record. These discoveries are leading to exciting insights into the evolution and biogeography of these groups over the past 20 million years.

At East Tennessee State University Dr. Schubert is the Director of the Center of Excellence in Paleontology, a faculty member in the Departments of Geosciences and Biological Sciences, and a Curator at the Natural History Museum. He is especially well known for his work on giant short-faced bears and cave paleontology.

Michael Searle
Tampa Bay Fossil Club
813-909-9358

tampabayfossilclub@msn.

Sept 23-25

Oct. 7-11

Oct. 16-17

Oct. 22

Oct. 29, 2011

Nov. 12-13

Address:
KULTURNÍ DUM LÁDVÍ
Burešova 1661, Praha 8

Info: jderka@volny.cz

Dec. 5th to the 16th 2011

The course covers the biology, diversity, conservation, classification, relationships and importance to humans of the second largest animal phylum.

It includes field work and practicals and can accommodate 21 students. For undergraduate Australian university students it is an 8 credit point course and cross-institution credit can be offered. Some places are still available.

Overseas and interstate participants are welcome and student accommodation is available.

The course is organised by Assoc. Prof. Andy Davis and run with staff from the Australian Museum (Winston Ponder, Don Colgan, Mandy Reid).

Details can be found at http://www.uow.edu.au/science/biol/UOW009845.html

Please pass this notice on to anyone you think might be interested.

Winston Ponder and Andy Davis

February 11, 2012

The third meeting of Florida United Malacologists (FUM) will take place on Saturday, at The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum (BMSM) on Sanibel Island, Florida. The one-day gathering is designed to enhance communication among professional, amateur, and student malacologists, with topics including, but not limited to biology, ecology, paleontology, archaeology, and conservation.

FUM follows the pattern established by similar informal gatherings such as BAM (Bay Area Malacologists), SCUM (Southern California United Malacologists), MAM (Mid-Atlantic Malacologists), and OVUM (Ohio (River) Valley United Malacologists). There is no formal membership and there are no dues, officers, nor publications. However, presenters are required to submit a brief abstract limited to 150 words or less. Abstracts will be posted on the Museum web site. The gathering will be free to presenters and Museum members. Non-members will be asked to donate the Museum admission fee of $9.

Participants are strongly encouraged to ask questions and discuss data, compare notes on methods and problems, and get acquainted with presenters and members of the audience. Presentations, limited to 15 minutes plus 5 minutes for questions, will be informal and will cover current research and collection efforts and issues. The Museum will provide projection equipment for PowerPoint programs, brief videos, and slides.

Due to staffing limitations, use of the library and research area and collection visits will be limited to two days prior to the gathering, Thursday, February 9, and Friday, February 10. Museum parking is free. Box lunches and dinner at a local restaurant (to be arranged) will be available at cost to participants and presenters. An event reservation form for presenters and participants will be posted soon on the Museum web site (www.shellmuseum.org). Seating is limited, so please return the reservation form prior to November 30, 2011.