Recent Progress in Organismal and Molecular Malacology

Malacology refers to the study of molluscs, and is a sub-discipline of invertebrate zoology. After the arthropods, molluscs form the second-largest division of animals in terms of described species. It includes snails, slugs, clams, octopuses, squids and numerous other invertebrates, many of which have shells. Taxonomy, ecology and evolution are the prominent areas of research within the scope of malacology. It is also employed by archaeology to understand the evolution of the climate, the biota of the area and the usage of the site. Medical, veterinary and agricultural applications of molluscs are studied in applied malacology. Recent studies in the field focuses on the medicinal uses and conservation of molluscs. This book unravels the current studies in the field of organismal and molecular malacology. The various sub-fields of malacology along with scientific progress that have future implications are glanced at herein. This book is a complete source of knowledge on the present status of this important field.