Zooloogia

Zooloogia is the branch of biology that studies animals, including their structure, function, development, evolution, behavior, distribution, and ecological relationships. The field encompasses the classification and naming of animal species as well as the study of how animals interact with their environments and with other organisms. The term is used in several languages to refer to the scientific study of animal life.

Historically, zooloogia has roots in ancient natural history, with early observers describing animal forms and habits. The modern discipline emerged with the work of Carl Linnaeus in taxonomy and with advances in anatomy, physiology, and comparative biology. In the 20th century, subfields such as ethology, ecology, and genetics broadened the scope of zoology, while new technologies expanded capabilities in imaging, molecular biology, and computational analysis. Notable figures include Aristotle, Linnaeus, Konrad Lorenz, and Niko Tinbergen.

Zooloogia comprises numerous subfields, including comparative anatomy, physiology, developmental biology, ecology, behavior (ethology), systematics and taxonomy, and paleozoology. It also intersects with marine biology, zoological medicine, and conservation biology. Research methods range from field observations and experiment to dissections, imaging, genetics, and bioinformatics, enabling study across scales from molecules to ecosystems.

Applications of zooloogia include biodiversity assessment, wildlife management, disease ecology, agriculture, and environmental monitoring. The field provides essential insights into animal adaptation, evolution, and welfare, and informs conservation strategies amid habitat loss and climate change. Ethical considerations and animal welfare standards guide research and practice.