On Thursday 22 May 2025, International Day for Biological Diversity was celebrated during a special evening at Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Leiden, the Netherlands. What better way for Anitomical’s team to celebrate the diversity of life than by taking a deep dive into the fascinating diversity of mollusks – from bivalves such as mussels to shape-shifting octopuses.
Anitomical prepared an exhibition around 3D models of five different mollusks: European squid (Loligo vulgaris), curled octopus (Eledone cirrhosa), mussel (Mytilus edulis), pond snail (Lymnaea stagnalis), and Roman snail (Helix pomatia) – animals that differ greatly yet all belong to the same group. We made their anatomy fully transparent and insightful thanks to the beautiful digital 3D anatomical models made by our CEO Mieke Roth. Our exhibition included a variety of 3D printed models of all five mollusks, infographics on their unique anatomy, and 3D animations.
The many visitors spent ages looking in wonder at our 3D models of the octopus, squid, mussel, great pond snail and Roman snail – fascinated by their complexity and mutual differences and similarities. Their enthusiasm confirmed that accurate 3D modelling is the most efficient way to make complex anatomy truly insightful, easily accessible and simply a lot of fun to large groups of people.
Are you interested in seeing our 3D anatomical models of mollusks? You can still find them at our exhibition ‘Building plans for life - 3D models by Mieke Roth’ in the natural history museum in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, until 31 August 2025.
