malacology
Sign in to savethumb|A bigfin reef squid displaying considerably developed ocular, locomotive, and bioluminescent organs, all particularly of interest to the malacological study of its class [[Cephalopoda]]
AI overview
Malacology is the scientific study of mollusks, a diverse group of animals that includes squids, octopuses, clams, and snails. It matters because mollusks display remarkable biological features—like the squid's advanced eyes, movement abilities, and light-producing organs—that help scientists understand animal evolution and adaptation.
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Article
14 sectionsContents
- History
- Early period pre-1795
- The contributions of Cuvier
- Early 19th century
- Late 19th century and beyond
- Malacologists
- Societies
- Journals
- Museums
- See also
- Notes
- References
- Further reading
- External links
thumb|A bigfin reef squid displaying considerably developed ocular, locomotive, and bioluminescent organs, all particularly of interest to the malacological study of its class [[Cephalopoda]]
Malacology, from Ancient Greek μαλακός (malakós), meaning "soft", and λόγος (lógos), meaning "study", is the branch of invertebrate zoology that deals with the study of the Mollusca (molluscs or mollusks), the second-largest phylum of animals in terms of described species after the arthropods. Mollusks include snails and slugs, clams, and cephalopods, along with numerous other kinds, many of which have shells.