ONE OF evolution's greatest and most beautiful survivors is celebrated in a new exhibition at the Dorset County Museum.

Based on the forthcoming book by Wolfgang Grulke, Nautilus: Beautiful Survivor - 500 million years of evolutionary history, the display will run throughout October.

It will showcase many of the cultural objects, fossils, shells and artefacts featured in the book and celebrates the long history of the Nautilus, its role in human culture and the realities of its life today.

Wolfgang will also be visiting the museum for a talk on Wednesday, October 12 from 7pm, with doors open at 6.30pm.

He said: “The Chambered Nautilus is one of the oldest living things on our planet.

"Since the dawn of civilisation its form has inspired artists, designers and architects. Nautilus has survived whatever the world has thrown at it for more than 500 million years, persisting even as dinosaurs and many other life forms vanished.

"Now, however, some believe it could become extinct within a generation.

"Despite it having become one of the most-studied invertebrates of all time, there is still an air of mystery that surrounds the living Nautilus.

"The most-recently evolved specimens have been grouped into the genus Allonautilus.

"One of these Allonautilus scrobiculatus, the furry or fuzzy Nautilus, has only been seen alive twice in the last 30 years.

"A second species, Allonautilus perforatus, has never been seen alive.

"We are donating 100 per cent of the proceeds of this book to Nautilus research and we hope that one of the projects will help find this rarest of animals and film it for the first time."

Entry to the talk on October 12 is free, although a donation of £3 is encouraged to cover costs.

The book ‘Nautilus: Beautiful Survivor - 500 million years of evolutionary history’ by Wolfgang Grulke will also be available to purchase and can be signed on the night.

For further information contact the museum on 01305 756827 or visit dorsetcountymuseum.org