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Malacology
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Malacology is the study of Mollusks.
Malacology differs from Conchology which is the study of shells
only. There are over 100,000 described living mollusk species
and it has been estimated that another 100,000 are undescribed
and await formal description. Mollusks are a diverse group consisting
of the familiar clams (Bivalvia), snails and slugs (Gastropoda)
and octopuses (Cephalopoda) and the not so familiar chitons
(Polyplacophora), tusk shells (Scaphopoda), solenogasters (Aplacophora),
Monoplacophorans, and Caudofoveatans. Man has used mollusks
for various reasons including money, jewelry, decorations, and
as tools. Many species are commercially important. The commercial
harvest of freshwater mussels is a multi-million dollar industry
in North America where shells are harvested and exported to
Asia where they are made into nuclei for insertion into oysters
to create cultured pearls. Many species of freshwater mussels
and snails are threatened or endangered throughout the world
which has sparked renewed interest in their study. If trends
are not reversed and stream degradation and loss of habitat
continues, we will lose many of the interesting and beautiful
shells from our nations waters.
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