paléomalacologie

Paléomalacologie is the scientific study of fossil mollusks. It is a sub-discipline of paleontology and malacology, focusing on the shells and other fossilized remains of animals belonging to the phylum Mollusca, which includes snails, clams, cephalopods, and other related organisms. Paléomalacologists examine the morphology, stratigraphy, and paleoecology of these fossils to understand ancient marine and terrestrial environments, evolutionary relationships, and the geological history of life on Earth.

The study of fossil mollusks provides valuable insights into past climates, sea levels, and oceanographic conditions. Changes in shell shape, size, and composition can indicate environmental shifts over geological time. For instance, the presence of certain fossil species can help correlate rock layers across different locations, aiding in the dating and mapping of geological formations. Paléomalacology also contributes to understanding macroevolutionary patterns and the diversification of mollusk lineages. The fossil record of mollusks is extensive due to their hard, durable shells, making them abundant and well-preserved fossils. This abundance makes them particularly useful for paleontological research.