Malacology Malacology Malacology is the branch of invertebrate zoology that deals with the study of the Mollusca (mollusks or molluscs), the second-largest phylum of animals in terms of described species after the arthropods. Mollusks include snails and slugs, clams, octopus and squid, and numerous other kinds, many of which have shells. One division of malacology, conchology, is devoted to the study of mollusk shells. Malacology derives from Greek , "malakos", "soft"; and , "-logia". Fields within malacological research include taxonomy, ecology and evolution. Applied malacology studies medical, veterinary, and agricultural applications, for example mollusks as vectors of disease, as in schistosomiasis.
Australian Society of Soil Science Incorporated Australian Society of Soil Science Incorporated The Australian Society of Soil Science Incorporated (ASSSI) was founded in 1955 to "advance soil science in the professional, academic, and technical fields". The Society consists of a federation of branches operating the 'umbrella' of the ASSSI Federal Council. Current branches are: New South Wales, Queensland, Riverina, South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and Western Australia. The Society currently has approximately 800 members. All financial Ordinary members of ASSSI automatically become members of the International Union of Soil Sciences. The ASSSI offers members an opportunity to gain accreditation under the Certified Professional Soil Scientist (CPSS) Scheme.