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...