Malacology

Gastropods A.Cassis madagascarensis (Cassididae), B.Charonia variegata (Cymatiidae), C.Chicoreus brevifrons (Muricidae) D.Tonna galea (Tonnidae), E.Nerita pelotonta (Neritidae), F. Tonna maculosa (Tonnidae), G.Turbinella angulata (Turbinellidae), H.Turritella variegata (Turritellidae), I.Vasun muricatum (Turbinellidae).

Malacology is the study of molluscs. These animals include snails, slugs, octopus, squid, and bivalves generally, such as clams and mussels. Most of them have shells. The shells are often collected for their beauty and interest. Many people eat molluscs, especially those people who live near the ocean.

Those scientists who study molluscs are called malacologists. They identify and classify them, and find out everything they can about their lives.

Types

Types of gastropods

The gastropods are the most common type of mollusc. They have about 70,000 described species.

  • marine gastropod
  • non-marine gastropod
    • freshwater gastropod: with very few exceptions, the only freshwater molluscs are freshwater snails
      • freshwater snail
    • terrestrial gastropod: gastropods are the only group of molluscs which have some species living on land

Types of bivalves

With 20,000 described species, bivalves are the second commonest class of molluscs. There are several classifications of bivalves in use. This is a rough guide:

Malacologists

 
Malacologist and friend

Museums

Museums that have either exceptional malacological research collections (behind the scenes) and/or exceptional public exhibits of molluscs:

Some mollusks

Malacology Media

References

  1. Horace Burrington Baker (1889–1971)
  2. "William J. Clench (1897-1984)". Archived from the original on 2011-10-08. Retrieved 2012-07-07.
  3. "Georges Cuvier (1769-1832)". Archived from the original on 2009-10-27. Retrieved 2012-07-07.
  4. "John Edward Gray (1800-1875)". Archived from the original on 2012-10-14. Retrieved 2012-07-07.
  5. History USNM
  6. "Isabel Pérez Farfante de Canet". Archived from the original on 2010-10-23. Retrieved 2012-07-07.
  7. Criales, María M. 2009. Obituario: Isabel Pérez-Farfante 24 de julio de 1916 – 20 de agosto de 2009. Ciencia y Mar. XIII(37):77-80.
  8. Constantine Samuel Rafinesque (1783-1840)
  9. Conchologica Iconica
  10. Ni solas ni resignadas: la participación femenina en las actividades científico-académicas de la Argentina en los inicios del siglo XX