What are the 20 Branches of Zoology?

There are so many different animals out there that it is hard to track them all. Zoology is the study of animals and their ecosystems. It is a science that tries to understand how different species interact with each other and their environment. This article will discuss the 20 branches of zoology and their subject matter.

What are the 20 Branches of Zoology?

The 20 branches of Zoology are the following:

• Entomology
• Ichthyology 
• Mammalogy
• Ornithology
• Primatology
• Zoography
• Comparative Zoology
• Herpetology
• Ethology
• Arachnology
• Archaeozoology
• Carcinology
• Anatomy
• Nematology
• Taxonomy
• Taxidermy
• Invertebrate Zoology
• Embryology
• Animal Physiology
•  Pedozoology 

What is Zoology?

Zoology is the scientific study of animals. It is a branch of biology that studies animals and their behavior, structure, functions, life cycle,  mating, feeding, reproduction, and all aspects of an animal. 

The field of zoology is one of the oldest and most prominent fields in biology. This field is so diverse because it deals with everything from the smallest microbes to the largest animals. 

There are many different fields of zoology because there are many different organisms to study. It is a very broad subject that includes the study of animals in the wild, in captivity, and in zoos. 

Some people study zoology to work with animals, such as veterinarians or zoo keepers. Other people study zoology because they are interested in what animals do and how they live. 

An expert in the study of animals is called Zoologist. Zoologists also study the interactions between animals and humans as well as how animals use their habitats. 

Zoologists may also be involved in wildlife management and the study of natural resources. The 20 branches of Zoology and their definition is further discussed below.

Entomology

Entomology is the study of insects, a field that is complex and diverse. It includes a wide range of topics such as insect identification, the ecology of insects, their behavior, and the impact they have on the environment. Insects are important because they are an important part of the environment and food chain. There are over 3 million species of insects and they play a key role in the world’s ecosystem. 

Ichthyology 

Ichthyology is the scientific study of fish. It is a branch of zoology, the biological study of animals. The word ichthyology comes from the Greek words for fish, ichthys, and logos, meaning “study of fish.” 

Ichthyologists study the life history of fish and their relatives, including their senses, behavior, locomotion, habitats, morphology, physiology, ecology, behavior, evolution, and reproduction. 

They are also interested in the environmental factors that influence fish distribution and abundance, such as habitat loss, pollution, and overfishing.

Mammalogy

Mammalogy is the study of mammals. It is a science that has been around for centuries and continues to be an important field of study today. 

Mammalogy is the study of mammals, both living and extinct, and their evolution, ecology, behavior, and physiology. Mammalogists study many aspects of the animal kingdom, including how they:

• adapt to their environment
• evolve
• interact with each other
• communicate
• reproduce
• use their senses
• live in groups
• use tools

Ornithology

Ornithology is the branch of zoology that deals with the scientific study of birds.  The word “ornithology” comes from the Greek words ὄρνις (ornis) meaning “bird” and λόγος (logos) meaning “knowledge.” 

Ornithologists are experts in the identification and classification of bird species. They study how birds use their wings to fly, how they breed, and what they eat. Ornithologists also study bird migration patterns and the effects of climate change on birds.

Primatology

Primatology is the study of primates. Primates are mammals that live in social groups and have a defined reproductive group. The main types of primates are lemurs, monkeys, apes, and humans. 

Primatologists study primates’ behavior, ecology, diet, reproduction, communication, and intelligence. Primatology is also used to study human diseases that are similar to those seen in primates, such as AIDS and Ebola.

Zoography

Zoography is the study of the geographical distribution of animals. There are three main ways to study zoography: 

• Observing animals in their natural habitat 
• Tracking animals over time 
• Studying animal species that have been introduced to new locations. 

There are many different species of animals that are found all over the world. Animals can also be categorized by their geographic distribution because some animals can only be found in certain parts of the world. 

These animals can be found in specific habitats, such as deserts, rainforests, or polar regions. It is important to study zoography because it helps us understand how animals adapt to different environments. 

Comparative Zoology

Comparative Zoology is the scientific study of different animals. It is a specialization or a methodology of zoology that studies the similarities and differences in the morphology, physiology, biochemistry, and behavior of animals. 

Herpetology

Herpetology is the study of amphibians and reptiles. These animals are widespread and diverse and include frogs, toads, lizards, snakes, crocodiles, turtles, and alligators. 

Herpetologists study these animals for their habitats, reproduction, diet, and other aspects. There are a variety of jobs that a herpetologist can have in the field. Some examples are working as a zoologist or curator at a zoo or aquarium or becoming a professor at a university.

Ethology

Ethology is the study of animal behavior. Ethologists study the evolutionary and biological basis of behavior, including social behavior, communication, learning, and more. 

Ethologists also study the behavioral responses of animals to environmental stimuli, such as climate change, pollution, and habitat destruction.

Arachnology

Arachnology is the study of spiders. The word “arachnology” comes from the Greek word “arachne” which means spider. There are many species of spiders that are studied, but the most popular are tarantulas and spiders. 

Arachnologists study how spiders live, how they eat, how they reproduce, and how they defend themselves. They also study the effects of spiders on their environments and how their presence affects human life. 

Archaeozoology

Archaeozoology is the study of animals that have died and been preserved on the earth or in water. It is the study of ancient life and its remains. 

Archaeozoologists study animal fossils to help them better understand the history of life on Earth. Archaeozoology is a science that requires lots of fieldwork, which means that archaeozoologists often spend their days digging through rock and soil. 

Carcinology

Carcinology studies crustaceans, a group of invertebrates with an exoskeleton, including crabs, lobsters, shrimp, and crayfish. This particular discipline is a branch of zoology that deals with the anatomy, physiology, behavior, and ecology of these animals.

Anatomy

Anatomy is the study of the structure of organisms. It includes morphology, physiology, histology, embryology, and biochemistry.

Nematology

Nematology is the study of nematodes, a type of microscopic worm. Nematodes are most commonly found in soil and in the gastrointestinal tracts of humans and animals. Nematodes are also known as roundworms or threadworms. 

Nematologists study nematodes to better understand the relationship between these worms and their environment, as well as the effects of parasites on humans and animals.

Taxonomy

Taxonomy is the classification of living things into groups based on shared characteristics. The first published work on the subject was in 1758 by Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus.

Taxidermy

Taxidermy is the process of preserving an animal’s body with a resin, salt, or wax and then mounting it so that it can be displayed. 

Invertebrate Zoology

Invertebrate zoology is the study of invertebrates, which are animals without backbones. Invertebrates can be found in all environments and they include everything from worms to jellyfish to insects.

Invertebrates are a huge part of the earth’s ecosystems because they play a key role in keeping the ecosystem in balance. They are also very important to humans because they provide us with food, clothing, and medicines.

Embryology

Embryology is the study of the development of an embryo. It is the origin of life and the study of how organisms develop from fertilized eggs, sperm, or zygotes into mature organisms. 

Animal Physiology

Animal Physiology is the study of how animals function in a natural environment. It is the study of how animals use their organs and body systems to obtain food, water, and oxygen; maintain body temperature, and eliminate waste.

Pedozoology

Pedozoology or Soil zoology is the study of soil animals and the animals that live in the soil. One of the most well-known soil animals is earthworms. 

These worms are used in many experiments and research studies because they are considered to be an indicator of soil health. Other animals that live in soil include slugs, ants, spiders, and cockroaches.

Conclusion

Zoology is the study of animals, both living and extinct. This includes their morphology, physiology, life cycles, behavior, evolution, distribution, and ecology. Zoologists study many different types of animals from all over the world. There are many different careers available in zoology such as teaching, research, and conservation. Zoologists also work with other scientists to study biodiversity and ecosystems.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): what are the 20 branches of zoology?

What are the 7 classifications of animals?

Animals are classified into the following category:

• Kingdom
• Phylum
• Class
• Order
• Family
• Genus
• Species 

What are the two divisions of animals?

Animals are either vertebrate (with a backbone) or invertebrate (without a backbone)

Are bacteria animals?

Bacteria are not animals, they are microscopic living organisms that are found everywhere. They are the most numerous form of life on earth and can be found everywhere from the deepest ocean to your skin. 

Reference

Storer, T. I. (1951). General zoology. General zoology., (2nd ed).

Allaby, M. (Ed.). (2003). A dictionary of zoology. OUP Oxford.

100 Branches of Biology from A to Z: All Branches – Leverage Edu. Retrieved from https://leverageedu.com/blog/branches-of-biology/

Branches of Zoology | Divisions of Zoology | Study of Animals. Retrieved from https://www.bioexplorer.net/divisions_of_biology/zoology/

Zoology Branches & Tools – Video & Lesson Transcript – Study.com. Retrieved from https://study.com/learn/lesson/zoology-branches-tools.html