Branches of Zoology

BRANCHES OF ZOOLOGY

Question: What are the major Subdivisions of Zoology?

Branches of Zoology and their definition.

Branches of Zoology List

Answer:

Zoology is the branch of science that deals with the scientific study of animal life.

It can enrich your life by helping you learn about different creatures that

share this planet with us humans, their anatomy, physiology, evolution, characteristics and classification.

To study this diversity specifically, different subdivisions or branches have been created as follows:

Branches of Zoology: Schematic Diagram

Major Subdivisions of Zoology:

Subdivisions in Zoology are based on two systems,

(I) Taxonomic:

It is the theory and practice of identifying animals ( also plants as in Botany). Taxonomy deals with the classification of organisms into groups and types.

Branches subdivided according to taxonomy include:

1. Invertebrate zoology:

Study of animals without backbones.

This category is further divided into:

(a) Protozoology:

Study of unicellular animals ( such as amoeba).

(b) Helminthology:

Study of worms, mainly parasitic.

(c) Malacology:

Branch dealing with the study of Mollusks ( i.e snails, clams, oysters, squid, octopus)

(d) Entomology:

Study of insects.

Depending on the group of insects, the branch is further divided into:

* Coleopterology:

Study of Beetles.

* Dipterology:

Study of flies.

* Hemipterology:

Study of true bugs

(Hemiptera)

True bug (stink bug)

* Isopterology:

Study of termites.

* Lepidopterology:

Study of Butterflies and Moths

Can Also Read: Metamorphosis in insects - Hormonal control

* Apiology ( or Melittology): Study of Bees.

* Myrmecology:

Study of Ants.

* Orthopterology:

Study of Crickets

( grasshoppers)

* Tricopterology:

Study of caddisflies.

* Vespology:

Study of Wasps.

(2) Vertebrate Zoology:

Study of animals with a backbone.

(a) Ichthyology:

Study of fishes.

(b) Herpetology:

Study of Amphibians and Reptiles.

Oriental garden lizard ( class: Reptile)

It is further specifically branched as:

* Batracology:

Study of Amphibians alone.

* Ophiology:

Study of Snakes ( Ophidians)

(c) Ornithology:

It is the Study of Birds.

As a group, birds are more homogeneous than any other vertebrate. The major evolving criteria then was Flight adaptation in birds. Although in the class of birds among vertebrates, not all birds can fly, they have the most efficient flying mechanism ever evolved.

(d) Mammalogy:

Study of Mammals. It is also known as " Mastology", " theriology " or theology.

(e) Primatology:

It is the study of the primate order of mammals. The study is done on living and extinct non-human primates to know more about us humans. It is supposed to be the boundary between mammalogy and anthropology.

(II) NON-TAXONOMIC:

There are some branches of Zoology which are subdivided based on other factors such as morphology, physiology, genetics, behaviour and other such important factors as follows:

1. Morphological Zoology:

Study of animal structure. This Study includes many factors which in turn studies those specific criteria. Such as:

(a) Gross Anatomy:

Study of non-microscopic anatomy.

(b) Palaeontology:

Study of Fossils.

(c) Histology:

Study of organs and tissues at the microscopic level.

(d) Cytology:

Study of cell structure, often at electron microscopy level.

(2) Physiological Zoology:

Animal study based on function. The study can be carried out in two ways:

(a) Organismal physiology:

Study based on the body function of the entire organism which may be studied in the field or laboratory conditions.

(b) organ and cell physiology:

Study of vital activities of organs and cells.

This may be monitored in vivo i.e. within the living body, or in vitro i.e. maintained outside the body e.g. cells propagated in nutrient media as " tissue culture".

(3)Zoological genetics:

Study of hereditary traits and their transmission. It is the basis of selective breeding. This study also contributes significantly to the knowledge of human genetics.

(4) Evolutionary zoology and systematics:

Study of evolutionary relationships among animals. This branch of zoology attempts to develop an improved model of animal classification.

(5) Zoological ecology:

Branch of zoology studying,

* The relationship between animals and their biotic (living) and abiotic ( physicochemical) environments.

* It is essential to the successful management of animals in the wild.

* The study also includes population dynamics and analysis of population structure and trends. For example: to regulate fisheries and hunting.

(6) Animal Behaviour:

Study of animal behaviour and its importance to the management of wild, captive and domestic animals and the training of animals.

(7) Ethology:

It's the study of species-typical, often behaviours exhibited in the wild or quasi-natural conditions.

(8) Animal psychology:

Study of Animal Learning, particularly under controlled laboratory conditions.

(9) Animal pathology and epidemiology:

Study of the causes and effects of the disease processes in animals.

It also includes the practice of veterinary medicine in zoos and also in the wild.

Apart from these zoological studies, there are a few more specific fields in Zoology.

1. Zoogeography:

Study of the geographical distribution of animal species.

2. Zoography:

Study of animals and their habitat.

3. Zoometry:

Zoometry deals with the study of the relative length or size of the different parts of an animal or animal.