History of Zoology
Identification and study of animals around us has been a part of human civilization since its start. The ancient civilization of India, China, Egypt, Greece, etc has always been fascinated by the animal kingdom and we can see many descriptions and use of animals in the scripture. However, extensive modern scientific studies were undertaken and documented by many prominent scientists and philosophers which led to our current understanding of zoology. Some such scientists are listed below;
- Aristotle (384-322 BC): He is often considered the father of zoology due to his significant work on the classification and characterization of animals.
- Carolus Linnaeus (1707-1778): His work on taxonomy and classification laid the foundation of the current pretext of zoology.
- Georges Cuvier(1769-1832): His work on paleontology and comparative anatomy of animals greatly contributed to the understanding of zoology.
- Charles Darwin (1809-1882): Other than his work on evolution, his research on the Galapagos island also contributed significantly to zoological studies.
- Thomas Huxley (1825-1895): His work on Darwin’s theory of evolution also contributed greatly to the field of comparative anatomy of animals.
- Konrad Lorenz (1903-1989): His work on animal behavior has a significant impact on the understanding of zoology.
- E. O. Wilson (1929-2021): His work on biodiversity and sociobiology greatly contributed to our current understanding of ecology.
What is Zoology?
Zoology can be easily defined as the study of animals. Zoology includes all the members of the kingdom Animalia. Zoology encompasses the study of the classification, anatomy, physiology, behavior, and ecology of animals. Zoology explores all the details of the diverse animal kingdom, from invertebrates to vertebrates. The study of zoology significantly contributes to the understanding of the animal diversity. The study of zoology also provides a wide range of career options other than the vast amount of knowledge about the animals around us.
Table of Content
- Meaning of Zoology
- History of Zoology
- Branches of Zoology
- Scope of Zoology
- Importance of Zoology
- Who is a Zoologist?
- FAQs – What is Zoology?