It is the science that studies the animal world, one of the great components of the set of living beings. Zoology can be described as a series of efforts aimed at analyzing and classifying animals. Classification attempts are known as early as 400 BC, through the works of Hippocrates. However, it was Aristotle, who in his work "Natural History" carried out the first rationalization of the animal kingdom, addressing issues such as sexuality, growth and adaptation.
What is zoology
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The term Zoology comes from the Greek, zoon meaning "animal" and logos "study." Zoology is understood to be a science that is dedicated to the study of animals. Professionals called zoologists are in charge of the biological taxonomy of all animal species (both extinct and existing). The definition of Zoology indicates that the origin of this term comes from the Greek "zoon" which means "living animal" and "logos" which means "study of".
On the other hand, the concept of Zoology also indicates that its main objectives are the analysis of the anatomical and morphological description of the different animal species: their development, reproduction, distribution and behavior.
The definition of Zoology also notes that it takes care of all the common and generic traits that animals have before continuing with a taxonomic description. For its part, taxonomy encompasses the tabulation and systematic exploration of events related to the recognition of all extinct and existing species of animals and their distribution in time and space.
The importance of Zoology in the world
What is Zoology is of vital importance worldwide, since through it the way of life, functioning, reproduction, behavior, embryology and taxonomic classification of animals can be studied in detail.
In this way, the main field studied by Zoology is the anatomical and morphological description of all the different types of animal species that exist. In general, what Zoology means is very important because it helps human beings to understand and study deeply everything related to animals, which are as important in the world as humans and for this reason they deserve all the attention of the man.
Branches of Zoology
In the concept of Zoology there are several branches that are in charge of the different physiognomies of animals, among the branches of Zoology are:
Malacology (the study of mollusks)
Malacology is the branch of Zoology that is responsible for the analysis of mollusks, in the same way, there is a part of malacology called “conchology”, which is responsible for the analysis of mollusks with shells. Malacology research areas involve taxonomy, paleontology, ecology, and evolution.
The knowledge of this branch is used in medical, agricultural and veterinary applications. Malacology helps the study and knowledge of biodiversity, through a list of specimens of mollusks and their analysis.
The observation of mollusks can be used in environmental impact investigations, since they could be managed as bioindicators of the chemical, physical and biological conditions of the environment, and therefore allow the discovery of factors that deflect their balance.
Entomology (the study of insects)
Entomological zoology is said to be the scientific analysis of insects. It is estimated that around the 1.3 million species studied, insects make up more than a quarter of all known living beings and also have an extensive fossil history, since their birth dates back to the geological period of the Paleozoic era, about 400 years ago.
They have different ways of interacting with man and with other lifestyles on the planet; It is in this way that entomology is integrated as a very important specialty within Zoology.
Entomology often includes the analysis of other arthropods, such as crustaceans, arachnids, and myriapods, although this extension is technically flawed.
Ichthyology (fish)
Ichthyology is an extension of Zoology that is intended for the study of fish. This includes chondrichthyans (cartilaginous fish, such as shark and shark), osteictians (bony fish) and agnathans (fish without a jaw). It is estimated that there are approximately 32,709 detailed species, yet 250 new species are officially described each year.
The complexity in the distribution lies in the wide variety that they have achieved during the development process and the feasibility of humans in the aquatic environment. In addition to this, ichthyology is responsible for the behavior and biology of fish.
Herpetology (amphibians and reptiles)
Herpetology is the branch of Zoology that is in charge of studying amphibians such as toads, frogs, Cecilia, salamanders and reptiles such as alligators, crocodiles, turtles, snakes, lizards and amphisbaenas. It should be noted that the analysis of amphibians is very useful at the time of knowing the state of the environment, since they are quite sensitive to changes in ecosystems, especially pollution, in a certain part their main development originates in aquatic environments, usually short-term or extensive.
Ornithology (Birds)
Ornithology is the science of biology that is responsible for the study of birds, analyzing everything about them: their habits, how they are classified, their structure, their song and flight. The earth is inhabited by more than ten thousand species of birds. Because of the great diversity, beauty and colors that exist in birds, there are a large number of people who practice ornithology, and it is these who promote the protection and conservation of the environment in which birds live.
The word ornithology is an expression of Greek origin "ornithos" which means "birds" and of "logos" which means "science". Evolution or development is a fundamental point in this study, where bird species that failed to survive climate changes, commonly known as fossils, are included.
Mammalogy (mammals)
Mammalogy or mammalogy, also known as theology, is the discipline dedicated to researching and analyzing mammals. On the planet there are approximately 4,200 species of animals that are considered mammals. The main sciences that make up the mammalogy belong to taxonomy, natural history, physiology, anatomy and ethology. At the same time, within mammalogy there are sub-sciences such as chiropterology, cetology and primatology.
Carcinology (crustaceans)
Carcinology is a branch of zoology that studies crustaceans. People dedicated to the study of carcinology are called carcinologists. Crustaceans play a fundamental role in both ecology and economy, which is why they are among the most analyzed invertebrates.
Paleontology or study of fossils
Paleontology is the science that is responsible for the study of fossils, which is part of natural studies and which shares various methods with geology and biology. Among the main objectives of his research is the origin and evolution of living beings, the reconstruction of extinct living beings, the relationship they had between them and the environment, such as the development of extinction and fossilization of the remains.
Although paleontology is especially in charge of investigating fossils, it should also be taken into account that one of the most relevant branches that zoology studies is taphonomy, which is dedicated to the study and analysis of the processes through which such fossils are formed. In the same way, it investigates diagenesis, which is related to decomposition and sedimentation.
Cryptozoology
It is a pseudoscience that studies all those animals that have an unknown existence, that is, hidden species. This branch was born in 1983 by the expert John Wall, who established that, in cryptozoology, the strangest species in the world are discussed and studied, as well as those that have become extinct over the years, an example of these animals are dinosaurs or dodos.
It is known that both species could exist, but there is no reliable evidence that can determine the veracity of the reports and documentaries about them.
The same goes for the mythical bigfoot, the Loch Ness monster, and even the chupacabra. Yes, there are too many stories about these creatures, but it is not known if they really existed, so for that, there is this branch of zoology. Currently, cryptozoology is not fully accepted in the world of science, therefore, many refer to it as a pseudoscience, something that studies mythological or really unlikely aspects.
If there is something that should be mentioned in this regard, it is that this pseudoscience is very important in rural areas, since it implies a boom in the economy for tourist and cultural reasons. If there are legends or myths about unknown creatures in a certain area, tourists will want to go to that place, perhaps out of curiosity or to learn more about the culture of that region.
Protozoology
It is a science whose objective is to analyze all those microscopic organisms that live in an aquatic ecosystem. These practices began to be carried out just at the end of the 17th century, all by the hand of Anton Van Leeuwenhook, a French scientist who managed to observe protozoan organisms with the help of a homemade microscope (made with polished glass). The reproduction of these organisms depends on the species, as some can reproduce sexually or simply be hermaphrodites.
This science managed to determine that protozoa have a life cycle identical to that of any other species in existence, since they have a first phase (where they are known as trophozoites) but then they mature and begin to change into cysts.
There is a phase for these organisms that is very delicate and complicated to understand, this is the trophozoite phase, where many nutrients are needed for them to grow and later reproduce. This science is very broad and even today analyzes are still being developed to find more interesting aspects of these curious microorganisms.
Study zoology
The career in zoological veterinary medicine is obtained through residency subjects, not undergraduate subjects. People interested in working with exotic animals start a resistance plan in Veterinary Zoology after obtaining a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.
All aspiring veterinarians must complete doctoral studies in veterinary medicine and obtain a license. There are no institutes that offer DVM (Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine) graduate degrees that specialize exclusively in Zoology medicine.
Rather, applicants who want to care for exotic animals will need to complete a regular DVM program and subsequently enroll in a veterinary zoology medicine residency at a certified institute. The usual grade areas include: the management of animals in captivity, the clinical treatment of wild animals both in the Zoo environment and in their natural habitats, as well as the study of the preservation of wildlife.
