INSIDE THE MUSEUM – Shell Exhibition
Exhibition Technical Sheet – “Living Jewels: But is that all?”
Exhibition Concept
The idea for this exhibition emerged from a conversation with Sandra Coccuzzo Sampaio Vessoni, Director of the Centro de Desenvolvimento Científico at the Instituto Butantan, during the planning of the World Congress of Malacology at the institution. She suggested that, in addition to the scientific event, an exhibition should be held at the Park of Science to raise awareness about the importance of mollusks and highlight the history of research on these organisms carried out at the institute.
A partnership with the team at the Museu de Microbiologia Professor Isaias Raw (MMB) was essential for the conception, organization, and setup of the exhibition. This collaboration made it possible to develop accessible and scientifically accurate content.
The exhibition’s identity was initially developed by Lenita de Freitas Tallarico, a specialist from the Laboratório de Parasitologia and President of the World Congress of Malacology, in collaboration with the MMB team: cultural supervisor Adriano Dias de Oliveira, educational leader Cynthia Iszlaji, and cultural coordinator Glaucia Colli Inglez, with support from scientific researcher Paulo Henrique Nico Monteiro. They invited Renato Salgado from Zol Design to develop the exhibition’s visual and spatial content.
Partnership with Conchologists
The collaboration with the Conquiliologistas do Brasil was essential to enrich the exhibition with stunning shells, fostering dialogue with experts, and expanding public knowledge and appreciation of mollusks.
Technical and Logistical Collaboration
The support of various departments of the Butantan Institute was vital to bring the exhibition to life, including teams from the Centro de Desenvolvimento Cultural, Escola Superior do Instituto Butantan, Manutenção Predial team, and other contributors who played a role in this project.
Curatorship and Execution
Parasitology Laboratory – Butantan Institute
Lenita de Freitas Tallarico
MMB – Butantan Institute
Adriano Dias de Oliveira
Cynthia Iszlaji
Glaucia Colli Inglez
Project Coordination
Scientific Development Center – Butantan Institute
Sandra Coccuzzo Sampaio Vessoni
Conchological Collection Production
Conquiliologistas do Brasil
Celso Luiz Rodrigues Esteves
Cristina Koprick Sodré
Eduardo Schirrmeister
José Roberto Heise
Maurício Sergio Uhle
Ritual Collection Production
University of São Paulo
Vagner Gonçalves da Silva
Exhibition Design and Visual Communication
Zol Design
Text Editing
Laboratório de Ecologia e Evolução – IB
Paulo Henrique Nico Monteiro
Centro de Memória – IB
Audrea Santos De Santana
Bianca Silva Cruz
Henrique Sugahara Francisco
Juliana Cabral da Silva
Mariana Soares Popperl
Olga Fabergé Alves
Centro de Desenvolvimento Cultural – IB
Suzana Cesar Gouveia Fernandes
Universidade Federal de São Carlos
Eliane Pintor de Arruda
Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro
Igor Christo Miyahira
Text Revision
Escola Superior do Instituto Butantan
Andreia dos Santos Calegari
Leticia Ruiz Sueiro
Executive Production
Escola Superior do Instituto Butantan
Antonio Carlos Orlando Ribeiro da Costa
Carolina Julião Avancini
Maria Teresa Ghiuro Valentini Abdullatif
Printing
Family Sing
Scenography Construction
Construção cenográfica
Daniel Prado da Silva
Douglas de Araruna Francisco
Ezequiel Saldanha
Gilmar das Mercedes
Joaquin Rillo
José Roberto Ursulino
Leandro Lauro Cunha
Vinicyus de Jesus Lopes Galvão
Waldir Marques
Special Thanks
Instituto Butantan
Esper Georges Kallás
Lucio Gama
Rui Curi
Fundação Butantan
Saulo Simoni Nacif
Marcio Augusto Lassance Cunha Filho
PANEL 1 – Shells from Brazil and the World
The shell exhibition content at the Microbiology Museum is the result of a partnership between the Brazilian Society of Malacology and the Conchologists of Brazil and is part of the exhibition “Living Jewels: But is that all?”
The group Conquiliologistas do Brasil was founded in 1989, based on the realization that mollusks—one of the most diverse groups on the planet—remain largely invisible to most of society, despite playing key ecological roles.
While mammals, birds, and large vertebrates receive significant conservation attention and funding, mollusks are often overlooked, even when they are at risk of extinction. We are working to change that.
The shells on display in this exhibition were collected mainly in the second half of the 20th century by various project collaborators. Today, they serve as testimonies to the richness of marine and terrestrial ecosystems.
Mollusks inhabit every corner of the Earth, from ocean depths to Brazil’s tropical forests.
Their shells go beyond ecological value: they have inspired artists, explorers, and scientists for centuries, highlighting a deep cultural connection between humans and the diverse world of mollusks. Preserving these Jewels of Nature also means protecting evolutionary stories that are essential to our future.
PANEL 2 – Brazilian Conchologists
Who are the Conchologists?
Have you ever been fascinated by the beauty of seashells? For some people, this fascination has become a true passion and a way of studying nature. Conchologists are people who study and collect shells, in a branch of malacology, the science that studies mollusks.
In Brazil, the conchologist community gathers both scientists and shell enthusiasts who dedicate their time to identifying, cataloging, preserving, and sharing knowledge about these natural treasures. Many conchologists contribute to scientific discoveries, support conservation projects, and serve as environmental educators.
Conchas Brasil: a portal for citizen science
The website www.conchasbrasil.org.br is one of the largest online repositories dedicated to Brazilian molluscan fauna. Created by collectors and researchers, it features information on over 3,500 species, with photographs, updated scientific names, and geographic distribution. The site is collaborative and open to the public, serving as a national reference for anyone interested in learning about or contributing to knowledge on native mollusks.
The importance of preservation
Shell collecting also comes with a strong commitment to ethics and biodiversity conservation. Conchologists strictly follow environmental regulations, avoiding the collection of endangered species, respecting protected areas, and providing specimens and data to researchers and museums.
Thus, conchology goes beyond a hobby: it builds a bridge between natural beauty, scientific knowledge, and environmental responsibility.
You too can be amazed, learn, and contribute. Explore, discover, and appreciate the mollusks of Brazil!
Learn more at www.conchasbrasil.org.br
DISPLAY CASE 1 – Marine mollusks around the world
Shelled mollusks live in every ocean on Earth, from tropical reefs to the abyssal depths. Some marine snails have colorful spiral shells; others, like bivalves, have two shells that open and close like protective doors. Each shell reveals an incredible adaptation to its environment—camouflage, defense, floating, or anchoring to the sea floor. These are beautiful and functional solutions shaped by millions of years of evolution. These mollusks are not only vital to marine ecosystems—their shells have also inspired art, science, and human curiosity for centuries.
DISPLAY CASE 2 – The Next Frontier in Drug Discovery Might Be Underwater
Cone snails (Family Conidae) are found in tropical oceans worldwide. They hunt using a venomous “harpoon” called a radular tooth, which injects venom to capture fish and other mollusks. There are hundreds of Conus species, and some are potentially deadly to humans. Their venom is being studied for the development of new painkillers to replace opioids, as well as for other pharmaceutical applications. Beyond their fascinating biology, cone shells are prized for their vibrant colors and intricate patterns, long admired by artists, collectors, and scientists.
DISPLAY CASE 3 – Shells from São Paulo Beaches: Life the Sea Leaves on the Sand
The beaches of São Paulo state hide true treasures! The shells displayed here come from mollusks that live buried in the sand, attached to rocks, or swimming near the coast. When these animals die, their shells may be carried to the shore by waves. Each shell has a unique shape, built to protect the soft body of the mollusk and withstand the power of the sea. Some are smooth and delicate, others are strong and spiny! These shells tell stories about marine life and the many environments found along our coastline. Pay close attention to the details and imagine the oceans that hold such wonders!
DISPLAY CASE 4 – Treasures from the land and freshwaters of Brazil
Did you know not all shells come from the sea? In this display, you will find fascinating shells from mollusks that live on land, in rivers, and lakes across Brazil!
Freshwater and land mollusks evolved from marine ancestors about 300 million years ago. The shape, color, and size of their shells serve specific purposes: blending in with the forest floor, releasing heat in dry environments, or offering protection from predators.
Many of Brazil’s freshwater and land mollusks are endemic, meaning they are found only in very specific places, such as a mountain range, a cave, or an island. This makes them both unique and vulnerable: if their habitat is destroyed, they could disappear forever.