Malacology

Malacology is the study of mollusks, an important group of invertebrates consisting of over 85,000 species worldwide. Malacology provides information about these species’ anatomy, evolution, ecology, behavior, and distribution. Mollusks are vital components of both terrestrial and aquatic food webs, providing habitat and food for other organisms. In addition, some mollusks have potential applications in biomedicine and other industries. Malacology is thus key for understanding the effects of climate change, human activities, and other factors on the dynamics of mollusk populations and the health of ecosystem.