**Organismal Malacology**

and exchange of ideas among the fellow researchers. In this book, the authors made significant contribution by addressing the frontier areas of organismal, molecular and biochemical mala‐ cology. Multiple chapters with current malacological information were collated in two separate sections. Contribution of the scientists from diverse research interests would make this edited

In current years, organismal and molecular aspects of research have been identified as the two broad attributes of malacological investigation adopted in different laboratories. A paradigm shift that occurred in the trend of malacological research during the last two decades has well been reflected in these two sections. In the 'Organismal Malacology' section, a review was pre‐ sented on the bioecology and aquaculture of pen shell, an economically important mollusc of the Gulf of California, Mexico. Issues related to the taxonomical problem of Conoidea had been dealt in this section with appropriate citations and research evidence. Mussels are considered as sentinel species in ecotoxicology. Functional significance of mussel as a tool to monitor the wa‐ tershed quality was presented following the biomarker approach. An overview on the biology and conservation of patellid limpets, a keystone species of rocky shore, highlighted the impor‐ tance of biological traits on effective management of this group in their natural habitat. In anoth‐ er chapter of this section, the author discussed the morphological characteristics of a gastropod *Babylonia spirata* of Tuticorin coast of India from taxonomical point of view. In the other section, entitled 'Cellular and Molecular Malacology', current trends of biochemical and molecular mal‐ acological research were highlighted in several chapters. Arsenic and sulphates are the chemical contaminants linked to coal mining and related processing. Differential patterns of gene expres‐ sion of mussel were characterised under the exposure of these toxins in controlled conditions. The prime objective of the study presented in this chapter is to assess the efficacy of gene tran‐ scriptional markers in monitoring the degree of contamination. In another chapter, the author reported an elaborative study of spatiotemporal neural activity during olfactory processing in a land slug using state-of-the-art technology of imaging. Bacterial symbionts of molluscan gut bear industrial prospect and are a less explored area of research. Authors addressed an impor‐ tant area of applied malacology concerning the functional spectrum of heterogeneous bacterial groups inhabiting the gastrointestinal niches. Highly advanced innate immune system is a char‐ acteristic evolutionary trend as recorded in mollusc. This section included a chapter on molecu‐ lar immunological adaptation of molluscs of deep sea hydrothermal vent—a less studied ecosystem of earth. In another review, authors documented their holistic view on the biochemi‐ cal adaptation of lipid composition in marine bivalve in the face of various ecological factors. Evolutionary success of *Achatina fulica* was discussed with references to its innate immunologi‐ cal status and prospect as a source of ethnomedicine and other bioactive molecules. Molecular biology and biochemistry of C-reactive protein, glycosaminoglycan and immunoregulatory re‐

volume a well-informative one for the concerned researchers, teachers and students.

sponses were explained on the basis of available scientific information.

ing this exercise.

VIII Preface

At last, I remain thankful to Ms. Ana Pantar and Ms. Mirena Calmic of InTech for their earnest cooperation and help that I received in every step of editing of this book. My thanks go to my wife and research colleague Dr. Mitali Ray and my doctoral students of my laboratory of Aquat‐ ic Toxicology for providing me with appropriate academic inputs and technical assistance dur‐

**Sajal Ray**

Professor of Zoology

University of Calcutta, India
