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What’s new from the zoo? An analysis of ten years of zoo-themed research output

Paul E. Rose ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-5375-8267 1 , 2 ,
James E. Brereton ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-9104-3975 3 ,
Lewis J. Rowden 4 ,
Ricardo Lemos de Figueiredo 5 &
Lisa M. Riley 6

Palgrave Communications volume 5 , Article number: 128 ( 2019 ) Cite this article

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Environmental studies
Science, technology and society

The modern zoo’s roles command empirical enquiry to determine the effectiveness of zoos locally and globally. Ten years ago, published work identified the need for empirical research on a diverse range of species beyond charismatic zoo megafauna. We review zoo-based research published in the decade since this original recommendation. We collectively evaluate zoo-themed research papers from those working in zoos and those external to zoos but studying zoo-housed animals. By systematically searching Web of Science © for zoo-based research and performing inductive content analysis to code year, journal, study animal’s taxonomic classification, and research aims and outputs we evaluate trends in zoo-themed research, contrasted with trends in species holding. Significantly more birds and fish are kept compared to mammals, reptiles and amphibians, but mammals are consistently the primary research focus. Whilst output generally rises, only for birds is a steady increase in publications apparent. Husbandry evaluation is a major aim/output, but papers on pure biology, cognition and health also feature. Most publications lead to “specific advancement of knowledge” including validation of methodologies. We show that: (1) trends in species holdings are unrelated to trends in publication; (2) zoo-themed research makes meaningful contributions to science; (3) zoo researchers should diversify their aim/output categories and chosen study species to close the persisting research gaps that we have identified. Finally, we discuss our findings in the context of evident species biases within research outputs across the broader fields of zoology, conservation and ecology.

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Introduction

Zoos and aquariums have the potential to be excellent locations to develop, implement and complete scientific research. Zoo populations enable hypothesis-driven questions to be answered on species/topics that would be challenging in the wild. This is evidenced by, for example, ground-breaking insights into the reproductive biology of the critically endangered Sumatran rhinoceros, Dicerorhinus sumatrensis (Roth et al., 2004 ) or results on the energetic costs of locomotion in bears, Ursidae (Pagano et al., 2018 ). Zoological databases that hold information on species’ biology can enhance the scientific literature on natural history and ecology (Conde et al., 2019 ); information that also informs animal management practices and species conservation strategies both in-situ and ex-situ. As centres for both pure and applied science, the output from zoological collections not only covers a range of disciplines (Loh et al. 2018 ) but is of increasing value to multiple stakeholders working in all parts of the world with all taxonomic groups.

The four aims of the modern zoo—conservation, education, research and recreation (Mason, 2007 , Fernandez et al., 2009 ) provide a framework for scientific investigation. The importance of research to the modern zoo is reflected in the number of pieces of national zoo legislation that require research activities to be conducted (Hosey et al., 2009 ). Conversely, entertainment is perceived as the least important role of the zoo (Reade and Waran, 1996 ), yet visitation must be maintained as zoos can be reliant on entrance fees for income. This income provides a means for zoos to fulfil their roles in conservation and education, hence zoos must remain attractive destinations to visit (Bueddefeld and Van Winkle, 2018 ). Research into the educational role of the zoo has scrutinised the effectiveness of zoos as learning environments (Marino et al., 2010 , Dawson and Jensen, 2011 , Moss and Esson, 2013 ). Despite an increase in zoo visitor studies over the past decade (Jensen, 2010 , Moss and Esson, 2010 ), there is little evidence that zoos promote understanding or pro-conservation behaviour. The importance of robust experimental design and application of “good science” is also evident in literature (Wagoner and Jensen, 2010 , Moss et al., 2017 ) promoting the need for an evidence-based approach.

Such an evidence-based approach extends to animal husbandry, central to which is researching animal behaviour. A majority of zoo scientific studies has previously been shown to be of a behavioural nature (Hosey, 1997 ). The relevance of behavioural science to conservation outcomes was postulated by Sutherland ( 1998 ) who states the importance of conserving behaviour as part of conservation objectives. A potential fifth aim of the zoo, to promote excellence in animal welfare (Fernandez et al., 2009 ) further supports the need to increase the amount of scientific study and application of such study, into zoo animal management. An increasingly ethically-aware public, who focus on the importance of good welfare and are not just concerned with animal cruelty (Whitham and Wielebnowski, 2013 ) emphasises the need for zoos to manage their populations to ensure a high quality of life can be attained and maintained for all individuals.

As scientific research that collects data to answer an hypothesis-driven question is key to ensuring husbandry regimes are most appropriate, zoos have invested in collaboration with academics (Fernandez and Timberlake, 2008 ), in the development of research methodologies (Plowman, 2003 , Plowman, 2008 ) and in the creation of research-focussed committees and working groups (BIAZA, 2018b ) to increase and develop their scientific output and its uptake by zoological collections. By expanding on how empirical research is applied within zoological collections (e.g., to husbandry routines, visitor engagement and interpretation objectives, or population management goals) the reach, impact and outcome of each of the zoo’s aims is strengthened.

With a new focus on collection planning for population sustainability (Traylor-Holzer et al., 2019 ), a paucity of scientific research for many familiar (i.e., commonly-kept, often-seen-in-the-zoo) species has been apparent (Melfi, 2009 ). This paper (Melfi, 2009 ) shows that researchers study a limited number of individuals of high-profile, charismatic species—a trend previously noted in the wider field of “wildlife research” (Bautista and Pantoja, 2005 ). Species less appealing to the public but housed in greater numbers across more zoological collections have been ignored. Likewise, when considering species responses to captivity, mammals are often focal subjects (Clubb and Mason, 2003 ) and ecological data are used to inform our understanding of their responses to captivity (Mason, 2010 , Kroshko et al., 2016 ). However, for other non-mammalian taxa we consider how they cope with the human-created environment of the zoo less often (Carere et al., 2011 ). Species with a long history of captivity, well-known and recognisable to the visiting public can still challenge us regarding their optimal captive care (Hatt et al., 2005 , Rose, 2018 ) and empirical, structured research programmes can help redress the balance between what a species needs to thrive and what is provided for survival in the zoo. Therefore, to move forward with species-specific Best Practice (husbandry) Guidelines (EAZA, 2019 ) less considered taxa, common but “ignored” species or animals perceived as less charismatic, e.g., reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates, (BIAZA, 2018a ) need to be the focus of future research attention. Melfi ( 2009 ) highlights this lack of research into non-mammals as the cause of anecdote or “rules of thumb” methods of providing captive care.

As such, the aim of our paper was to look retrospectively from 2009 to 2018 to see how much more scientific research has been conducted into the areas identified by Melfi ( 2009 ) as lacking a research focus. Specifically, we collected research papers from five different taxonomic groups, to evaluate the range of taxa now included in scientific publications and we investigated if/how uptake and output of evidence, useful for management, has diversified. We used Melfi ( 2009 )’s Table 1 (page 581) and Fig. 2 (page 582) as a guide to what constitutes “forgotten taxa”—focussing on those animals with large populations but limited scientific investigation. We have added invertebrates, amphibians and fish to our analysis that were excluded or not fully included in the original Melfi paper for reasons outlined below. Melfi ( 2009 )’s Fig. 2 shows the relationship between the number of individuals of specific animal species held by British and Irish association (BIAZA) zoos, as well as the number of zoos that hold each represented species, compared to the number of projects conducted on these species, based on records from the BIAZA research database. A bias towards the study of a small number of charismatic mammalian species, for example chimpanzees (Pan troglyodytes) , bonobos (P. paniscus) , orangutans (Pongo sp.) , elephants (Elephas maximus, Loxodonta africana) , is clear from this figure. Melfi notes that more projects between 1998 and 2008 were conducted on the two species of Pan compared to all projects on birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates in this sample of BIAZA institutions—90 against 84 studies. We aim to see if such a bias exists in a sample of wider zoo output in the ten years from this dataset being published.

Papers were collected using the bibliographic database Web of Science©. Key term searches were carried out by including zoo* combined with either behaviour*/behavior* or welfare or nutrition and research for each type of taxa (mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, fish), for example “zoo* bird behaviour*. Each author was assigned a specific taxon and asked to scrutinise search results in the same manner, inputting data into a standardised spreadsheet. In January 2019, the lead author searched for remaining papers in 2018 across all taxa and terms to complete the dataset. Papers were categorised by year, species (and later class, genus and order), aim and main output. Aim was defined as the reason why the research was conducted (e.g., to determine the effect of a change of husbandry routine, or the influence of enrichment on behaviour, or to benchmark positive indicators of welfare). Output was defined as the key finding of the study and how this helps to underpin evidence-based zoo management.

Papers that covered more than one species of the same taxa (e.g., free-flight aviaries) were categorised as “multiple mixed”. Papers that covered a range of species from different taxa (e.g., visitor studies research or research into common patterns of stereotypic behaviours) were categorised as “multiple taxa review”. Papers that detailed methodological advances or novel approaches to data collection were categorised as “theory”. Papers that focussed on people including where data could add information on best practice animal care (e.g., influences on collection planning based on visitor perception) were categorised as “visitor”. Only peer-reviewed scientific papers in the Web of Science© search were included. Conference papers were not counted. In total, 1063 papers were categorised from 236 publications.

The impact factor of each publication was recorded from the individual journal website or from www.bioxbio.com if the impact factor was not clear on the journal’s homepage.

Rationalising aims and outputs from each article

Using content analysis, two authors (PER and LMR) coded the description of a paper’s aim and outcome into an aim class and an outcome class and outcome gain (see Table 1 for explanation). Papers were checked at the original source if both reviewing authors (during coding) were unsure of the aims and outcomes of the paper from its abstract. Aims were prioritised based on the paper’s own statement of their original aim and not on subsidiary findings. The aim “Husbandry and training” also includes papers that investigated visitor effects because visitors are provided in the zoo whether the animal wants them or not and therefore they directly impact on daily husbandry and management decisions. For each paper, one author stated their interpretation of aim and outcome code and this was judged using a protocol (Table 1 ) by the second author who also ensured the first aim/outcome was prioritised. Triangulation was not necessary as the two authors agreed on 100% of codes. Codes were created using an inductive approach. If a new aim/outcome was coded or new example were added, all previously papers in that aim class, outcome class or output gain were re-coded to reduce bias.

Specialised journals and global species holding

To compare any trend in publication output seen in the main Web of Science © dataset with two specialist zoo journals that are i) an annual publication without an impact factor and ii) have only incomplete listing on this database, an analysis of the output from the International Zoo Yearbook, IZYB, (published annually since 1960 by the Zoological Society of London) and the new open-access Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research, JZAR, (published by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria, EAZA) was conducted in the same manner (assessing the number of publications per taxa between 2009 and 2018). From these two journals, 354 papers were collected.

To provide context to research output gathered from searching for numbers of papers on specific taxa, data on species holdings of all zoos globally, published in the International Zoo Yearbook, were analysed alongside of the research-focussed data. These (unpublished) species holdings data were collected as part of an on-going additional research project (by author JEB) with the annual number of each species of mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian and fish kept at each zoo being recorded.

Invertebrates

Papers on zoo-applicable invertebrate research were sampled alongside of the main dataset. As we were keen to follow Melfi ( 2009 )’s categories of research subjects as closely as possible and because of the high number of papers to review between authors, details collected on invertebrate papers were restricted to: the name of the journal and year, the type of aim of the paper and the study subject. Again, only papers found in Web of Science © were recorded and the same categories for searching across the complete database were used: e.g., “zoo* invertebrate OR cephalopod OR arachnid welfare”. Abstracts of papers were read to ensure there was an application to zoo populations- i.e., the paper was not solely focussed on laboratory experimentation. A total of 17 papers were identified from 2011 to 2018 across 12 different publications.

Total sample size

Overall, 1434 zoo-focussed research papers were collected for analysis and evaluation (from the main dataset, from the IZYB and JZAR dataset, and for the separate search for invertebrate-specific research).

Data analysis

Data were analysed in R studio v. 1.0.136 (R Core Team, 2016 ). Where required, data were checked for collinearity using the “car package” (Fox and Weisberg, 2011 ), with values <2 taken as acceptable. Plots of residuals in R for each model were used to assess the distribution of data before further testing.

To compare differences between total counts of mammalian, avian and fish species held, a two-sample t -test was run. To determine any change in the number of species in each class housed by global zoos over the course of the study, a one-way ANOVA was run for species counts against year.

To compare the number of papers published against the taxonomic class of species held plus year of publication, a general liner model was run in R and post-hoc testing to ascertain differences between predictors was run using the “pbkrtest” and “lsmeans” packages for R studio (Halekoh and Højsgaard, 2014 , Lenth, 2016 ).

Fitted models were also run in R, with associated linear regression plots, for each outcome, gain and taxonomic class per year to identify any significant trend in the number of papers published on that theme.

For those papers with a focus on one taxonomic class only ( n = 863), a multinomial logistic regression was run in R studio using “multinom” function from the package “nnet” (Venables and Ripley, 2002 ). The “AER” (Kleiber and Zeileis, 2008 ) and “afex” (Singmann et al., 2019 ) packages were used to generate P values of the model fit from ANOVA and Wald’s tests. Post-hoc testing was run using the “lsmeans” package (Lenth, 2016 ) using (model, pairwise ~ factor | object, adjust = “tukey”, mode = “prob”) to generate P values for each pair of factors for each outcome across taxonomic class.

A linear regression was run in R with follow-up ANOVA analysis of the fitted model to determine the significance of predictors (taxonomic class, aim, outcome, gain and year of publication) on journal impact factor.

To remove any chances of Type 1 error, the Benjamini and Hochberg ( 1995 ) method of correcting the level of significance was employed when comparing multiple P values.

Global species holdings and the taxonomic focus of research papers

Figure 1 shows that birds and fish are the most speciose taxa housed in zoos globally, and amphibians comprise the fewest number of species housed. Significantly fewer species of mammal are housed compared to birds ( t = −21.07; df = 11896; P < 0.001) and fish ( t = −8.86; df = 9291; P < 0.001). For each taxonomic class, there was no significant change in the number of species held by zoos globally between 2009 and 2018 (mammals P = 0.985; birds P = 0.809; reptiles P = 0.488; amphibians P = 0.559; fish = 0.999).

The mean number of species within each taxonomic class (white dot, no line) housed globally in zoological establishments that provided data to the International Zoo Yearbook from 2009 to 2018 compared to the number of publications (red dot, red line), per year, for that taxonomic class. Overall birds are the most speciose taxonomic class housed by zoos globally and show the biggest increase in research output

There is a significant relationship between the number of papers published on each taxonomic class, the year of publication and the mean number of species in that class held ( F 14,35 = 58.59; r 2 = 0.94; P < 0.001). Across years the increase in the number of papers published for all taxonomic classes combined was not statistically significant (regression slope = 7.41; P = 0.338), suggesting that the overall number of papers on all topics identified from this literature search remains similar.

Significant differences are noted for the output for mammals against reptiles (higher number of mammalian papers), for fish against mammals (lower number of fish papers) and for amphibians against mammals (lower number of amphibian papers), Table S1 (supplementary information). When evaluating the interaction between species held and taxonomic class (species_holding*taxonomic_class) there is no significant relationship, showing that the average number of each species (in each taxonomic class) held in zoos is not influencing the number of publications on these taxa (intercept = 1.16, P = 0.976) even though the relationship between the overall number of papers published and taxonomic class of animal is still significant (F 9,40 = 74.65; r 2 = 93%; P < 0.001). As there is no significant change in the number of species held over this time period, an increase in the holdings of one class is not causing an increase in research output in that specific class.

Trends in the specific categories and aims of zoo-based papers

Analysis reveals that most of the papers have a husbandry and/or welfare focus (see Table S2, supplementary information), be that in the aim ( n = 301) of the paper or the overall outcome ( n = 435). The high number of papers coded as a pure biology outcome ( n = 271) shows that zoos can be centres for the advancement of “blue sky” science, as well as for applied science. This idea is supported by the proportion of papers (75%) that add to our knowledge of the species or topics being investigated. With only 1.7% of papers having no specific gain (i.e., a need for more research to answer the paper’s aim) zoo-based papers are clearly able to impact on knowledge and practice in this area of science.

Is there a relationship between the question being asked and what type of animal is being studied?

The Analysis of Deviance (type II) tests from the model showed that a paper’s aim (likelihood ratio χ 2 = 81.65; df = 36; P < 0.001), outcome (likelihood ratio χ 2 = 54.23; df = 20; P < 0.001) and gain (likelihood ratio χ 2 = 30.13; df = 16; P = 0.017) are all significant predictors of the taxonomic class of the paper. Year was not a significant predictor but may be trending in that direction (likelihood ratio χ 2 = 49.97; df = 36; P = 0.06). Post-hoc comparison of outcomes for each taxonomic class identified multiple significant predictors (for example Table S3, supplementary information).

Surveying across single-taxonomic class papers only (for the aim, outcome and gain of each paper) shows differences in the proportion of papers on each specific theme by taxa. For fish, 43% of papers had a husbandry aim, 57% of fish papers had a pure biology outcome and 71% of fish papers were identified as having a gain of a specific advancement in knowledge.

Across those papers on reptiles, 45% had a veterinary medicine and animal health aim, 42% had an animal and ecosystem health outcome, and 52% of papers had a gain of a specific advancement in knowledge. For amphibians, 16% of papers had a behavioural aim and 16% had a veterinary medicine and animal health aim, 29% of amphibian papers had a husbandry outcome and 48% paper were identified as providing a gain by specifically advancing knowledge.

An aim of behaviour was identified for 31% of all papers focussing on birds, 39% of bird papers had a husbandry and welfare outcome and 69% of bird papers provided a gain of a specific advancement in knowledge. For papers on mammals, 32% had a husbandry and training aim, 43% had a pure biology outcome, and 70% provided a gain in the specific advancement of knowledge.

For those wishing to advance an evidence-basis for zoo animal husbandry, 23% of all papers provided a gain of how to advance practice (either species-specific or general) with 78% of these being on mammals. Most papers focussed on adding to our knowledge of the study subject(s). Table S4 (supplementary information) further evidences the popularity of specific taxonomic orders as subjects for zoo-themed research by illustrating the types of question asked and output gained on the different taxonomic classes identified in our dataset. Details are provided for the top five orders from mammals, birds and amphibians, for all three orders of reptiles and for all six orders of fish from the ten-year dataset. Bias in the questions being asked at a taxonomic level is evident for each order and may relate to the accessibility of this animal in a zoo or the expertise of the researcher conducting the science.

Predicting future trends

Assessing the main dataset ( n = 1063) for increases or decreases in the number of publications per theme or on a particular taxonomic group type of animal identifies key areas where zoo research is growing in output. A significant relationship is found for the number of papers published on captive birds over the ten-year period, +3.5 papers/year ( F 1,8 = 26.99; r 2 = 74.3; P = 0.001), supporting the trend illustrated by Fig. 1 . Papers with an overall methodology aim also increase, +1.01 papers/year, indicating that zoological research is continuing to publish new ways of assessing the animals within collections ( F 1,8 = 30.23; r 2 = 76.5; P = 0.001). Papers with an aim of veterinary medicine and animal health also increase (+1.01 articles per year) significantly ( F 1,8 = 8.97; r 2 = 47.0%; P = 0.017). Figure S1 (supplementary information) illustrates these trends over time.

There are also increases on year for outcome with 1.12 extra papers per year published on animal and ecosystem health ( F 1,8 = 9.69; r 2 = 49.1%; P = 0.014). Output of papers with a visitor studies aim was not significant ( P = 0.08, +0.2 papers/year). Husbandry and welfare outcome papers may tend towards a significant increase of +1.7 papers/year ( P = 0.062). This general trend is supported by Fig. S1, which shows a rise in this outcome category over time (although this is not consistent from one year to the next). Finally, there is a significant increase (+5.8 papers/year) in the number of papers published that specifically advance our knowledge of zoo animals ( F 1,8 = 38.18; r 2 = 80.5%; P < 0.001).

Conservation and population sustainability papers and those focussing on human behaviour change outcomes appear low overall, when compared to those on pure biology and on husbandry (Fig. S1). Such information highlights areas for research to expand into in the future to ensure output continues to be novel and relevant.

Patterns of publication from an annual and a new scientific journal

To compare with output taken from the impact factor-listed publications in the main dataset, Fig. S2, supplementary information, shows the publication trend for the IZYB and for JZAR. Trends in the IZYB data are harder to predict, even though overall the number of mammal-focussed papers is higher than for other classes (47% overall). However, a notable pattern of mammal-focussed publication is evident in each year of JZAR; since its first publication in 2013, 59% of papers are on mammals. All single-class taxonomic categories aside from mammals can be absent from each of these two publications (Fig. S2). Therefore, consideration for the theme of each volume or the breadth of papers included within may be needed to ensure that a wide-range of species are focussed on per edition.

Assessing impact

Differences are apparent in the spread of journal impact factors for where papers on each class of animal and each type of research topic are published (Fig. 2 ). The top five highest impact factor journals include research on multiple taxonomic classes and papers that provide a general advancement in knowledge (with one species-specific focus (elephants) that provides a specific advancement in knowledge). Of the 1063 papers from 2009–2018, two are published in journals with an impact factor of above 10, with the majority (75%) published in journals with an impact factor of below 2.

Boxplots to show the median impact factor of papers for each type of animal or research aim. Top: taxonomic class (A amphibians, All All classes included, B birds, F fish, M mammals, M+ Mammals plus another taxa, R Reptiles, RA+ Reptiles and amphibians plus another taxa). Middle: Aim category (BEH Behaviour, BPR Breeding programmes, HUS husbandry and training, MTH methods, NUT nutrition, PHY physiology, VET veterinary medicine and animal health, VIS visitor studies, WEL welfare). Bottom: Outcome category (AEH animal and ecosystem health, BCH behaviour change human, CSN conservation and sustainability, HUS husbandry and welfare, PUB pure biology, SCI scientific validity). Papers covering all taxa show the largest range in impact and the highest impact overall

Papers with Husbandry and welfare, Human behaviour change, and Conservation and sustainability outcomes are published in the highest impact journals. Papers with a Welfare, Visitor studies, Methods, and Husbandry aim are also found in these higher-impact publications. It is exciting to see that a wide range of topics can be published and disseminated widely across the breadth of the scientific literature- zoo-focussed research is not restricted to “zoo only” journals.

There is a significant relationship between several predictors and publication in a higher impact factors journal ( F 34, 1028 = 2.59; r 2 = 5%; P < 0.001). Taxonomic class ( P < 0.001), aim ( P < 0.001) and outcome ( P = 0.009) are all significant predictors of publication in a journal with a higher impact factor. Year of publication ( P = 0.36) or gain (0.994) show no relationship to a journal’s impact factor. Model estimates for individual GLMs show significantly higher impact factor journals contain papers covering both reptiles and amphibians (estimate = 1.32, P = 0.007) and papers on birds were more likely to be published in lower impact factor journals compared to other taxonomic groups (estimate = −0.57; P < 0.001).

For the aim of the paper, those on nutrition (estimate = −0.49; P = 0.012) and veterinary medicine/animal health (estimate = −0.33; P = 0.006) were published in lower impact journals, whereas those on visitor studies were significantly more likely to be found in higher impact publications (estimate = 0.52; P = 0.002). When assessing each paper’s outcomes, those relating to human behaviour change were more likely to be published in journals with higher impact factors (estimate = 0.94; P < 0.001) compared to other outcome categories.

Comparing the interaction between taxonomic class and the paper’s aim ( F 61,1001 = 1.85; r 2 = 5%; P < 0.001) shows that higher impact journals are successfully chosen for physiology papers that cover all classes (estimate = 2.36; P = 0.04) and for methods papers published on reptiles and amphibians (estimate = 3.06; P = 0.05). A significant interaction is present for papers on reptiles and amphibians with conservation/sustainability outcomes (estimate = 4.47; P = 0.001), model summary F 39,1023 = 3.003; r 2 = 7%; P < 0.001. No significant relationship is noted for any interaction between the paper’s gain and the taxonomic class used as the subject, and choice of higher impact journals.

What about invertebrates?

For the 17 relevant papers obtained on invertebrates, the highest number ( n = 11, 65%) focussed on reviewing or providing commentary on, across taxa, bigger questions relating to welfare (including a paper on enrichment practices that covered other taxa as well invertebrates to determine preferences for a specific type of enrichment provided and a paper on how to design judgement bias tasks, both of which have important welfare connotations). Papers on cephalopods and those covering a review of invertebrate taxa as part of a wider question (e.g., enrichment or welfare assessment) made up several of the articles recorded ( n = 5, 29%, respectively). Invertebrates articles could cover pure science (i.e., personality studies), as well as be used to inform the management of other taxa in the zoo (i.e., investigating food supplements for invertebrates that are then used as foods for other species). The median impact factor was 1.5, similar to output presented for other taxa in Fig. 2 . Papers published in the top-five impact factor journals were two articles that reviewed welfare (published in journals with an impact factor of 16), a cephalopod welfare paper (published in a journal with an impact factor of 5.23) and paper on cephalopod personality (in a journal with an impact factor of 4.13) and a review paper on welfare (in a journal with an impact factor of 3).

Our results show that zoo-themed researchers are increasing their research output year-on-year; Fig. 1 illustrates that, for bird research at least, the overall trend in output is positive. A bias in the study of large charismatic mammals dominates the overall number of papers published, but zoo-themed researchers are investigating a wide array of topics and increasing their output into areas of knowledge gain, as well as practical application (Fig. S1, supplementary information). This mammal bias appears similar to that noted in the wider field of zoology (Bautista and Pantoja, 2005 ) and the need for a more informed approach (such as our call for more scientific investigation for taxon-specific husbandry guides) is echoed by previous research that highlights a lack of scientific rigour within strategies implemented for habitat and wildlife conservation (Reichhardt, 1999 ).

Zoo-themed research output appears to be aligning with wider conservation messages, for example as emphasised by the One Plan Approach (CBSG, 2015 ), as well as with moves to encourage more direct pro-environmental human behaviour change (Smith et al., 2008 , Spooner et al., 2019 ) and wider usage of ecological evidence for the development of species-specific management plans (EAZA, 2019 ). We demonstrate that zoo-themed research output can cross academic boundaries and answer big questions that extend far beyond the animals housed at the zoo themselves. Increases in the number of papers adding to knowledge of species biology shows the wider relevance of zoos to “blue sky” science and an impact across different fields for all taxa investigated (Fig. 2 ). This expanding and considered research output appears to align with developments noted in other areas of biology too- for example the relative success of conservation initiatives in the United States (Schwartz, 2008 ) even though data to underpin these measures can often be lacking.

The focus on specific taxonomic groups compared to others (Table S1) may be a facet of the particular research interest of individual scientists, the commonality of a particular species in the zoo, or the availability of species in zoos close to the workplace of scientists that are publishing in this field. There are clear trends in the choice of taxonomic order when looking over the aims, outcomes and gains from research published on zoo-housed animals (Table S3), indicating that researchers opt for a particular taxonomic order as a study system when designing how to test an experimental hypothesis. A Husbandry and training aim and a Husbandry and welfare outcome predominates in this dataset (Table S2) showing that zoo research is focussing on key areas of management to improve captive care. This illustrates that the majority of these papers are adding to knowledge to strengthen the aims of the modern zoo, and it is encouraging that only 18 papers provided no firm conclusion to their way. Those researching the zoo are clearly able, in the vast majority of cases, to provide an answer to their question.

Our results identify some interesting trends in how zoo animals are used for research. Notably that reptiles feature more in veterinary and health-related papers than other taxonomic classes, yet whilst mammals are the most commonly studied class (Fig. 1 ), they show the least variation in research aim for across all classes (Table S3), with papers asking either behavioural or husbandry and training related questions. Amphibians are the class with the most diverse array of questions asked—covering breeding, husbandry, nutrition, physiology, behaviour, and veterinary medicine and animal health. This suggests that the conservation relevance of amphibians in zoos (Zippel et al., 2011 ) and the urgency by which captive-naïve populations have had to be created suddenly ex situ (Pavajeau et al., 2008 ) has created niches for variation in research questions more quickly than in mammal populations, for example, that have not been exposed to sudden changes in the novelty of species held.

We identify papers that cover each of the four roles of the modern zoo, demonstrating that zoos are prepared to research how well they are meeting their goals and be scrutinised on the outputs from such research. Given calls for good welfare to be a fifth aim of the modern zoo (Fernandez et al., 2009 ), the high number of papers with a full or in-part welfare outcome (41% of all identified papers) is encouraging. Welfare science is moving quickly, with novel approaches validated (Williams et al., 2018 , Richter and Hintze, 2019 , Yon et al., 2019 ) and an increasing use of natural ecology information as a keystone in determining the relevance of husbandry in the zoo (Rose, 2018 ). Therefore, the application of animal-based welfare assessment to ensure individual welfare is good, rather than a completely resource-based approach is a key area of research for zoos to focus upon (Whitham and Wielebnowski, 2013 ). And as 74% of identified papers that had either a specific or general advancement in practice ( n = 245) were fully or partly focussed on a welfare outcome, zoos are forging ahead to evaluate many aspects of welfare of the animals they house. Our results indicate this is not confined to a single taxon but relevant to all investigated except reptiles where focus is on health and conservation. This may be because so little of the wild biology is known for many reptilian species that, when in captivity, immediate threats to survival (e.g., disease) must be the primary research concern. Whatever the underlying reason, here there is an identifiable opportunity for future zoo research.

Three key gaps in knowledge of zoo animal management were identified by Melfi ( 2009 ). Firstly, that research tended to investigate indicators of poor rather than positive welfare. Change is evident with research assessing animal-based indicators of a good quality of life now being published (Williams et al., 2018 , Yon et al., 2019 ), and methods for positive welfare assessment for zoo invertebrates, as well as an evidence-basis for captive invertebrate care (Bethell, 2015 , Tonkins et al., 2015 ) can also be found. We demonstrate that targeted research, evidenced by the year-on-year increase in bird research output (for example), with popular aims of husbandry and welfare and with an advancing knowledge outcome, means all aspects of welfare are being considered and investigated.

Secondly that housing and husbandry are historically based on anecdote or tradition. A scientific approach to inform husbandry is noticeable in our dataset, with housing style (Rowden and Rose, 2016 ), daily husbandry regimes (Rose et al., 2016 ), nutrition (Gussek et al., 2018 ), enrichment practices (Costa et al., 2018 ), breeding recommendations (Asa et al., 2011 ) and animal health measures (Greenwell and Montrose, 2017 ) being based on evidence gathered to determine optimal care. The asking of numerous questions (Table S4) with an amphibian model shows that zoo researchers are considering key knowledge gaps at different taxonomic levels when constructing an experimental design. Even within a taxonomic group bias persists as certain species (e.g., Pan spp. in the Primate order) command the evidence-based approach. This is not to say zoos specifically ignore other species as a myriad reasons may explain why the husbandry practices of one species are more science-led than another (for example, the number of individuals kept in zoos). And as Pan sp . studies continue to demonstrate, many research projects are required before an holistic approach to husbandry (and welfare generally) can be achieved. Our paper shows that for many species, zoo research is the start of this evidence-gathering journey.

Thirdly, a lack of species-specific biological data may be inhibiting zoo research output. Well-studied animals, such as Pan sp ., will continue to receive research interest because scientists have a reliable bank of background information to utilise. Consequently, equally important research candidates remain understudied due to this lack of baseline information. Use of ecological information on species’ habitat choices can be used to inform housing (Mason, 2015 , Kroshko et al., 2016 , Mellor et al., 2018 ) and suitability of husbandry can be evaluated via individual preference testing (Mehrkam and Dorey, 2015 , Troxell-Smith et al., 2017a , Troxell-Smith et al., 2017b ). Therefore, constructing “in-zoo” questions based on manipulations that can yield species-specific information means that these poorly understood species can be researched and improvements to their husbandry be made on an evidence-based approach.

We demonstrate that zoo-themed research output is slowly filling in these gaps for more and more species, and we have evaluated how this research can have wider impact across scientific publications with a broader readership (Fig. 2 ). From the output in Melfi ( 2009 ), 89% of the sample concerned mammals (60% of which was primate-focussed), with 8% on birds, 1% on reptiles and 1% on other taxa. Whilst the Melfi ( 2009 ) dataset was restricted to output from only one region (British & Irish facilities), the bias for investigating mammalian species is clear. Within our main Web of Science© dataset, 69% of papers focussed solely on mammals (40% on primates)- therefore highlighting a shift change towards the use of other species as research subjects that is unrelated to the number of species kept of a given taxa.

Inter-disciplinary research also identifies the usefulness of zoo information to big data questions, and such an approach helps further reduce the lack of biological information as identified by Melfi ( 2009 ). Information held in the Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS) database, managed by species360 (species360, 2018 ) has added to the bank of biological information held on non-domestic species (Conde et al., 2019 ) to improve our knowledge and understanding of many important areas of species biology, physiology and life history. To develop this research output, zoos should be increasing the number of scientific studies being published within higher impact journals. Our dataset shows that mammals remain considerably better represented in publications than all other taxonomic groups combined. Indeed, two mammalian Orders, Carnivora (154 papers) and Primates (294 papers), are both better represented in research output than all birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish together (204 papers) for papers covering a single taxonomic class.

Publication output centring on a few species within taxonomic groups that are the focus of research attention is documented (Bautista and Pantoja, 2005 ) and similar reasons are postulated to ones that we cover in our evaluation (i.e., flagship for conservation). These authors also note that fish are an underrepresented group in “wildlife research” and again this echoes our own zoo-focussed findings. Given that aquarium-housed fish can be flagships for conservation research, e.g., McGregor Reid et al. ( 2013 ), there is the potential to build on key traits that make a specific taxa suitable for scientific study to increase its use for research. Increases in species-specific output may be based on active researchers investigating questions on the same taxa because these are considered the most appropriate for that question. However, scientists could consider diversifying the taxa used to ask a similar question. For example, the use of highly-cognitive birds instead of primates for cognition research, facilitating the use of non-mammalian species. Use of cephalopods to determine personality differences (Carere et al., 2015 ) can be a realistic alternative to primate studies given the complex cognition of these invertebrates (Mather and Dickel, 2017 ) that involves both short- and long-term learning and engagement in behaviours such as play.

However, we should also be mindful of the importance of knowledge gaps (e.g., the achievement of optimal welfare) for all captive species, regardless of taxonomic class and therefore zoos should actively engage in directed scientific research to answer key applied questions. A lack of background knowledge on such species, hampering effective evaluation of any results generated, may be causing researchers to choose more familiar species as study models. When considering zoo-specific and open access publications (Fig. S2, Supplementary information) there is an overall predominance of mammalian-research noted, even when annual volumes are themed around a particular taxa, such as freshwater fish (McGregor Reid, 2013 ), or area of work, such as reintroduction and translocation practice (Gilbert and Soorae, 2017 ).

The continuing decline in biodiversity is resulting in zoos providing care for species with a limited to non-existent captive history. Science has a role to play in informing practice for these species if species conservation initiatives are to be successful. Zoos and aquariums are unique in their capacity to provide direct conservation action to threatened species across the globe (Michaels et al., 2014 , Biega et al., 2019 ), and it is encouraging to see that many zoo research projects already focus on conservation breeding and the wider role of animals in ecosystem health. Zoo studies currently are used to better inform conservation projects for animals in situ (da Silva et al., 2019 , Lacy, 2019 ) and this trend is likely to continue into the future. The success of in-situ conservation initiatives can be hindered by a lack of evidence (Reichhardt, 1999 , Schwartz, 2008 ) and therefore decisions that influence population management, breeding recommendations and similar measures to conserve biological diversity ex situ must have an evidence basis to them.

The Convention on Biological Diversity (2020) is currently developing a post-2020 global biodiversity framework, which will aim to address the key drivers of extinction (CBD, 2019 ). A key area for future focus is the relatively poor representation of amphibians, both in zoo collection plans, and also in the research output. Zoos appear to be housing relatively few species of amphibians. In relation to biodiversity and conservation, there are over 7900 amphibian species, and roughly 40% of these species are threatened with extinction (IUCN, 2019 ). While some animal collections have produced excellent conservation education strategies centred around amphibians (Pavajeau et al., 2008 ), it is clear there is room for development of collection plans for these species. It may be difficult for visitors to appreciate the diversity of threatened amphibians if few are represented in captivity (Michaels et al., 2014 b).

Because zoological collections have the responsibility of maintaining populations of highly endangered species, prioritising research into areas of population sustainability, educational initiatives and human behaviour change, can help inform the overall conservation plan for species at the brink of extinction. Whilst our results show that current conservation and ecosystem health output appears low, there is evidence that the quantity of research output is growing. This range of publications has value for those engaged in direct conservation action, as well as to educators disseminating information to zoo visitors and beyond.

It is interesting to note that the best represented animals in our dataset also appear to be some of the favourite animals of zoo visitors (Carr 2016 ). Primates, carnivores and elephants are well-represented in the public’s top ten favourite animals (Courchamp et al., 2018 ) and whilst it is beyond the scope of this paper to determine why these animals appear to feature in both public interest and in zoo literature, we do suggest that public interest could act as a driver for research focus on this species (i.e., to better inform practice and scrutinise the extent to which species are presented to visitors). We do not suggest “less primates” in the output from zoos but more focus on other taxa, as well as the continuation of high levels of research on traditional study species. We would encourage researchers to consider their choice of study population carefully and think about other benefits to their research. It might be intriguing to study chimpanzees but is there more added conservation, education and recreational value if the waxy monkey frog (Phyllomedusa sauvagii) was studied instead…?

In conclusion, our results demonstrate that, globally, zoo-themed researchers have an impressive scientific output and are investigating a range of empirical, hypothesis-driven questions that relate to all the modern zoo’s key roles. Between 2009 and 2018, considerable progress has been made regarding the number of zoo-based publications, especially papers focussed on welfare assessment or improvement. Our results show that there remains a mismatch between the number of species within a taxonomic class held in captivity and the representation of this class in the peer-reviewed literature. Whilst it is relevant that some charismatic species are receiving considerable publication interest, further focus on species that are less represented in literature would help the zoological community to develop welfare indicators and evidence-based husbandry more rapidly for a wider range of taxa. The research output of zoological collections is worthwhile, not only for those working within the industry, but also for those working in other capacities with wild animals and in related disciplines (e.g., academia). As such, progress in increasing the number of questions being posed and output of answering such questions, both within and beyond the zoo, has value to people and animals worldwide.

Data availability

The dataset on publications gathered from scientific databases is available at Open Research Exeter: https://ore.exeter.ac.uk/repository/handle/10871/39092 . The dataset generated on species holdings are not publicly available due to this project still be researched but are available from author James E. Brereton upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

We thank A. Loader for her help with compiling data from JZAR and the IZYB. We thank S. Bereton for assistance with the global species holdings dataset. The open access publication charge was covered by the University of Exeter’s Institutional APC Fund.

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Paul E. Rose

WWT, Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Slimbridge, Gloucestershire, GL2 7BT, UK

University Centre Sparsholt, Sparsholt College Hampshire, Sparsholt, Winchester, Hampshire, SO21 2NF, UK

James E. Brereton

Zoological Society of London, London Zoo, Outer Circle, Regent’s Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK

Lewis J. Rowden

School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK

Ricardo Lemos de Figueiredo

Centre for Animal Welfare, Faculty of Health and Wellbeing, University of Winchester, Winchester, Hampshire, SO22 4NR, UK

Lisa M. Riley

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Rose, P.E., Brereton, J.E., Rowden, L.J. et al. What’s new from the zoo? An analysis of ten years of zoo-themed research output. Palgrave Commun 5 , 128 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-019-0345-3

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Environmental Entomology reports on the interaction of insects with the biological, chemical, and physical aspects of their environment.

High-Impact Research from Insect Systematics and Diversity

Insect Systematics and Diversity publishes original research on systematics, evolution, and biodiversity of insects and related arthropods.

High-Impact Research from Journal of Economic Entomology

The Journal of Economic Entomology is the most-cited entomological journal and publishes articles on the economic significance of insects and other arthropods.

High-Impact Research from Journal of Insect Science

The Journal of Insect Science publishes articles based on original research, as well as Reviews, interpretive articles in a Forum section, and Short Communications in all fields of entomology.

High-Impact Research from Journal of Integrated Pest Management

An extension-focused journal publishing original articles on any aspect of integrated pest management. The Journal of Integrated Pest Management is targeted at a non-technical audience of farmers, pest control operators, foresters, and others.

High-Impact Research from Journal of Medical Entomology

Journal of Medical Entomology publishes reports on all phases of medical entomology and acarology, including the systematics and biology of insects, acarines, and other arthropods of public health and veterinary significance.

High-Impact Research from Journal of Mammalogy

Promoting interest in mammals throughout the world, the Journal of Mammalogy publishes research on all aspects of the biology of mammals, including behavior, conservation, ecology, genetics, morphology, physiology, and taxonomy.

High-Impact Research from Mammalian Species

Mammalian Species is published by the American Society of Mammalogists with 15-35 individual species accounts issued each year, summarizing the current understanding of the biology of an individual species including systematics, distribution, fossil history, genetics, anatomy, physiology, behavior, ecology, and conservation.

High-Impact Research from Ornithology

Ornithology publishes original research from all parts of the globe that tests fundamental, scientific hypotheses through ornithological studies and advances our understanding of living or extinct bird species.

High-Impact Research from Ornithological Applications

Ornithological Applications publishes original research, syntheses, and assessments on the application of scientific theory, ornithological knowledge, and methods to the conservation and management of birds and to policy.

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v.43(1); 2022 Jan 18

Zoological Research shines in the East

With the long-term support of every friend and contributor, Zoological Research ( ZR ) has continued to move forward over the past year, with impressive achievements. Notably, ZR attained an impact factor of 4.56 (JCR Q1) and CiteScore of 4.6 in mid-2021, thus ranking in the top five of the 175 SCI journals within the Zoology category. In November 2021, our Citescore reached 5.6, and we expect a higher impact factor in 2022 than in 2021. Although we are not driven by chasing these scores, the increase in these metrics does reflect an elevation in the quality of submissions and publications, as well as the march towards our original aspiration when launching this journal ( Yao et al., 2019 ). The current areas of focus of ZR (i.e., primate and animal models; animal diversity and evolution; conservation & utilization of animal resources) are not only tightly connected to our host – the Kunming Institute of Zoology, which has grown and evolved into “ a comprehensive research institution renowned for its remarkable achievements in evolutionary mechanisms of animal biodiversity, animal resources protection, and sustainable utilization ” ( Yao & Shen, 2019 ) – but also represent the very frontiers of zoology.

Globally, 2020 and 2021 were tough years due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. However, with dedicated and focused research from submitting authors, ZR published a variety of important and timely studies over the past two years on a broad range of topics. Several studies on COVID-19, e.g., Yu et al. ( 2020 ) and Gómez-Carballa et al. ( 2020 ), received wide attention in the field and were scored as Hot Papers according to the Web of Science in June 2021. Similarly, another five ZR papers ( Li et al., 2020 ; Tang et al., 2020 ; Wang et al., 2017 ; Xu et al., 2020 ; Yu et al., 2020 ) were featured as Highly Cited Papers by the Web of Science during the same season. ZR also published other high-profile papers in 2021. For instance, Li et al. ( 2021 ) performed a phylogenetic and morphological investigation of an overlooked flying squirrel species (Pteromyini, Rodentia) from the eastern Himalayas and described a new genus; Boubli et al. ( 2021 ) resolved a taxonomic conundrum of pygmy marmosets using ancient DNA of the type specimen; and Ye et al. ( 2021 ) provided an updated annotation of the Chinese tree shrew genome based on large-scale RNA sequencing and long-read isoform sequencing, which will surely become an essential reference for basic and biomedical studies using tree shrews. To list all the important studies published in ZR in 2021 is obviously beyond the scope of this editorial. However, we are proud of our growing reputation among the authors of these papers and their remarkable advances in important research, with many citations in well-regarded journals, such as Nature , Nature Communications , National Science Review , Advanced Science , PNAS , Biological Psychiatry , Molecular Psychiatry , Medicinal Research Reviews , Nature Cell Biology , Cell Research , Molecular Cell, and Nucleic Acids Research .

Excitingly, in 2021, Prof. Le Kang and Prof. Nina Jablonski were elected as international and national members, respectively, of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States. We remain greatly honored to have them as editorial board members of ZR and extend our warmest congratulations to both these outstanding scientists. In addition, to further foster the impact of ZR and strengthen our publishing team, ZR has recruited young and capable researchers to expand our dynamic editorial board. From the beginning of 2022, with continuous support from senior editorial board members, we are honored to welcome a new group of talented and academically diverse members to ZR . While new editors have a more flexible one-year term than senior editorial board members (four-year term), their term can be renewed based on their willingness, devotion, and performance. We believe this new strategy will help younger scientists establish their own academic careers and will help enhance the vitality and creativity of ZR .

When we look back at the evolution of ZR over the past four decades ( Yao & Jiang, 2021 ), we have certainly encountered many challenges, including the initial dip in readership during the conversion from a Chinese to English-only language publication seven years ago, as well as solo publishing without help from renowned platforms such as Springer-Nature, Wiley Press, and Cell Press. Despite these difficulties, ZR has not stopped its march ahead and remains a shining beacon in the East. ZR has always garnered strong support from our many readers and authors. To better serve our contributors, as well as society in general, our growing capacity is not only reflected by the increase in publication quantity, but more importantly, by the academic quality of each paper. ZR always welcomes hot topics within the scope of the journal. If you wish to publish extraordinary research or serve as a guest editor for a special column/issue, please be free to contact us or the Editorial Office.

Finally, but most importantly, we would like to express our deepest appreciation to every ZR supporter. Your interest in ZR is the fuel with which we continue to move forward. We are always proud to publish your research, and we believe that ZR will continue to shine in the East with your enduring faith and support.

An external file that holds a picture, illustration, etc.
Object name is Yong-GangYao.jpg

Yong-Gang Yao, Editor-in-Chief

Kunming Institute of Zoology , Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650223, China

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Object name is YunZhang.jpg

Yun Zhang, Executive Editor-in-Chief

Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming Yunnan 650223, China

100+ Best Zoology Research Project Topics And Materials In 2024

Have you ever wondered about the world of animals and the mysteries they hold? Zoology, the study of animals, opens doors to discovering incredible things about creatures, big and small. But where do you start when you want to explore this exciting world through research projects?

Zoology Research Project Topics and Materials are like a map guiding curious minds through this fascinating field. You can ask questions about animals, their behaviors, bodies, homes, and even their families! For example: studying how animals talk to each other or how they survive in different places. It’s like becoming a detective, uncovering secrets about the animal kingdom.

You might study how animals live in oceans, forests, or deserts. Or explore why some animals are becoming rare and how we can protect them. There’s so much to discover – from how animals are born to how they grow, eat, and even play!

You’ll need materials like books, articles, and cool facts about animals to start your project. These materials are like your tools to learn and understand more about the incredible animals that share our planet.

You May Also Like to Know: Quantitative Research Topics For STEM Students

Table of Contents

What Is Zoology Research Project Topics And Materials?

Zoology Research Project Topics and Materials form the building blocks for investigating the captivating world of animals. Zoology, a branch of science, focuses on studying animals, big and small, and understanding their lives, behaviors, habitats, and how they interact with the environment.

These Research Projects are like doors to exploration, offering curious minds various avenues to explore. They enable researchers to uncover the secrets of animal life, from their incredible behaviors to their unique adaptations. These projects provide discernment into the diverse ecosystems animals occupy and aid in understanding how they contribute to our planet’s balance.

Additionally, zoology is crucial because it helps us learn the intricate web of life on Earth. Through this, we can learn beneficial lessons about biodiversity and human health. Zoology research provides us with knowledge to protect endangered species, conserve habitats, and admire the wonders of the natural world.

How Do I Choose A Research Topic In Zoology?

Here are the following steps to choose the best zoology project topics and materials for students.

Step 1:- Identify Your Interests

Start by exploring the areas of Zoology that fascinate you the most. Do you find animal behavior intriguing? Or are you passionate about conservation, genetics, physiology, or ecology? Identifying your interests will guide you toward specific themes within Zoology.

Step 2:- Review Existing Literature

Research and read articles, books, and scientific papers related to Zoology. This step helps you understand current trends, gaps in knowledge, and potential areas where new research is needed. Look for areas that have room for exploration or where new discoveries can be made.

Step 3: Consult with Advisors or Mentors

Seek advice from professors, advisors, or experienced researchers in Zoology. They can offer guidance, suggest potential research areas, and help narrow down topics based on your interests and the availability of resources.

Step 4:- Consider Feasibility and Resources

Evaluate the feasibility of your chosen Zoology Research Project Topics and Materials. Consider the availability of resources, such as access to labs, equipment, or specific animal populations for study. Ensure that the chosen topic aligns with your available resources and timeline for conducting research.

Step 5:- Narrow Down and Define Your Topic

Once you’ve explored various areas and considered feasibility, narrow down your options. Define your research topic clearly by focusing on a specific aspect of Zoology. A well-defined topic ensures a more manageable and focused research project.

List of 100+ Best Zoology Research Project Topics And Materials In 2024

These are the following list of 100+ specific and best research project topics and materials in zoology:

Ecology and Conservation

Impact of Climate Change on Migratory Patterns of Birds
Biodiversity Assessment in Tropical Rainforests
Effects of Pollution on Aquatic Ecosystems
Conservation Strategies for Endangered Marine Species
Urbanization and Its Impact on Wildlife Habitats
Ecological Role of Keystone Species in Ecosystem Stability
Human-Wildlife Conflict: Mitigation and Management
Restoration Ecology in Degraded Habitats
Conservation Genetics of Threatened Amphibian Species
Effects of Habitat Fragmentation on Wildlife Populations

Animal Behavior Zoology Research Project Topics and Materials

Social Dynamics in Primate Groups: Communication and Hierarchy
Foraging Behavior in Predatory Mammals
Vocal Communication Patterns in Cetaceans
Parental Care Strategies in Birds
Territoriality and Aggression in Animal Societies
Mate Selection and Courtship Behavior in Insects
Migration Patterns and Navigation in Birds
Tool Use in Non-Human Primates
Behavioral Adaptations of Desert Species
Sleep Patterns and Rest Behavior Across Animal Species

Physiology and Anatomy

Comparative Morphology of Vertebrate Digestive Systems
Physiological Adaptations of Arctic Animals to Extreme Cold
Cardiovascular Systems in Different Mammalian Species
Neuroanatomy and Brain Evolution in Primates
Respiration Mechanisms in Aquatic Organisms
Endocrine Regulation in Invertebrates
Skeletal Adaptations for Flight in Birds
Sensory Perception in Nocturnal Animals
Reproductive Strategies in Reptiles and Amphibians
Comparative Anatomy of Fish Gills

Best Zoology Research Project Topics and Materials For Genetics and Evolution

Genetic Diversity in Isolated Island Populations
Evolutionary Adaptations in Camouflage Techniques
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolutionary Relationships
Evolution of Flight in Birds
Speciation Patterns in Diverse Taxa
Comparative Genomics of Mammalian Species
Evolutionary History of Human-Animal Relationships
Population Genetics of Endangered Species
Molecular Basis of Color Variation in Animals
Hybridization and Genetic Introgression in Wild Populations

Animal Physiology and Anatomy

Adaptations in Extreme Environments: Deep-Sea Organisms
Comparative Anatomy of Avian Skeletal Systems
Physiological Responses to Hibernation in Mammals
Nervous System Development in Embryonic Vertebrates
Endocrine Disruption in Aquatic Species due to Pollutants
Evolutionary Adaptations in Carnivorous Teeth Structure
Muscle Physiology and Performance in Migratory Species
Sensory Adaptations in Nocturnal Predators
Immunology of Invertebrates: Defense Mechanisms
Reproductive Biology of Unique Mammalian Species

Ecology and Behavioral Studies

Feeding Ecology and Dietary Niche Specialization
Behavioral Ecology of Social Insects: Ants and Termites
Impact of Anthropogenic Noise on Animal Communication
Trophic Interactions in Food Webs: Predator-Prey Dynamics
Disease Ecology and Wildlife Health Assessment
Behavioral Plasticity in Response to Habitat Change
Habitat Preference and Niche Partitioning in Birds
Parasite-Host Interactions in Wildlife Populations
Behavioral Strategies for Coping with Climate Change
Predator Avoidance Behaviors in Prey Species

Conservation Genetics and Evolutionary Biology

Genetic Rescue and Population Viability Analysis
Conservation Genomics of Endangered Species
Hybridization and Introgression in Endangered Populations
Evolutionary Significance of Ancient DNA Studies
Conservation Strategies for Genetic Diversity Preservation
Population Genomics of Species Under Anthropogenic Pressure
Evolutionary Adaptations in Island Endemic Species
Genetic Markers for Wildlife Forensic Studies
Landscape Genetics and Connectivity in Fragmented Habitats
Phylogeography and Population Structure in Wild Species

Marine and Aquatic Biology

Coral Reef Resilience to Climate Change Stressors
Adaptations in Deep-Sea Creatures to High Pressure
Behavioral Ecology of Cephalopods: Octopus and Squid
Trophic Relationships in Estuarine Ecosystems
Movement Ecology of Pelagic Marine Species
Ocean Acidification Effects on Marine Invertebrates
Conservation of Threatened Seabird Species
Bioluminescence in Marine Organisms: Function and Evolution
Breeding Biology and Migration Patterns of Sea Turtles
Pollution Impacts on Marine Mammal Health

Wildlife Conservation and Management

Translocation and Reintroduction Programs: Success and Challenges
Human-Wildlife Conflict Resolution Strategies
Protected Area Design and Efficacy for Biodiversity Conservation
Community-Based Conservation Initiatives
Wildlife Trafficking and Illegal Wildlife Trade
Conservation Education and Public Awareness Programs
Ecotourism and Sustainable Wildlife Management
Integrating Traditional Ecological Knowledge into Conservation Practices
Wildlife Disease Surveillance and Management
Conservation Planning for Habitat Restoration

Ethology and Animal Behavior

Social Learning and Cultural Transmission in Animal Groups
Vocalizations and Communication Patterns in Insects
Cognitive Abilities and Problem-Solving Skills in Birds
Dominance Hierarchies and Aggression in Social Mammals
Play Behavior and Its Developmental Significance in Young Animals
Tool Use and Innovation in Non-Human Primates
Sleep Patterns and Sleep-related Behaviors in Various Species
Migration Strategies and Navigation in Long-Distance Migrants
Adaptive Behaviors in Response to Changing Environmental Conditions
Altruistic Behaviors and Kin Selection in Animal Societies

Comparative Physiology and Anatomy

Digestive Physiology in Herbivorous versus Carnivorous Mammals
Respiratory Adaptations in High-Altitude Birds and Mammals
Musculoskeletal Adaptations in Arboreal and Terrestrial Animals
Thermoregulation in Reptiles: Ectothermy vs. Endothermy
Sensory Adaptations in Nocturnal versus Diurnal Animals
Endocrine System Regulation in Response to Seasonal Changes
Reproductive Strategies in Marsupials versus Placental Mammals
Adaptations of Marine Mammals to Aquatic Life
Immune System Variation in Different Taxonomic Groups
Comparative Anatomy of Insect Flight Mechanisms

Evolutionary Biology and Genetics

Coevolutionary Relationships between Hosts and Parasites
Evolutionary Significance of Mimicry and Camouflage in Prey Species
Molecular Basis of Coloration in Animals: Pigments and Structural Colors
Genome Editing Techniques in Studying Evolutionary Pathways
Evolutionary Implications of Hybrid Zones and Hybrid Speciation
Comparative Genomic Studies of Model Organisms
Evolutionary Genetics of Reproductive Isolation
Evolutionary Adaptations in Extreme Environments
Ancient DNA Analysis and Its Contribution to Evolutionary Studies
Genomic Basis of Speciation and Divergence

Wildlife Ecology and Conservation

Human-Wildlife Conflict: Mitigation Strategies in Agricultural Landscapes
Effects of Climate Change on Wildlife Phenology and Distribution
Connectivity and Corridor Conservation in Fragmented Landscapes
Conservation Genetics and Strategies for Rare and Endangered Species
Community-Based Conservation Approaches in Developing Nations
Eco-Health Approaches to Wildlife Disease Management
Conservation Strategies for Urban Wildlife Populations
Rewilding Initiatives and Their Impact on Ecosystem Restoration
Habitat Restoration Techniques for Biodiversity Enhancement
Conflict Resolution in Conservation Policies: Balancing Human Needs and Wildlife Preservation

Simple Zoology Research Project Topics and Materials For College Students

Explore intriguing research topics in Zoology suitable for college students, encompassing biodiversity, ecology, genetics, and conservation studies.

Good Zoology Project Ideas

Discover engaging Zoology Research Project Topics and Materials that delve into animal behavior, physiology, genetics, and ecological aspects, offering diverse avenues for exploration in Zoology.

Zoology Research Topics For Undergraduates

Tailored for undergraduates, these research topics cover various facets of Zoology, including habitat dynamics, wildlife conservation, behavioral studies, and genetic diversity.

Project Topics In Zoology And Entomology

Uncover research topics bridging Zoology and Entomology, exploring insect behavior, ecological interactions, evolutionary studies, and conservation efforts.

Research Topics For Zoology Students

Designed for Zoology students, these research topics delve into animal welfare, advanced genetic studies, conservation strategies, and behavioral ecology.

Easy Topics In Zoology

Simplify research endeavors with easy-to-explore topics in Zoology, covering animal anatomy, behavior, ecological observations, and basic physiological studies.

What Are Some Good Research Project Topics For The Last Year Of An M.Sc. In Zoology?

These research topics explore advanced areas in Zoology, encompassing wildlife genetics, conservation challenges, ecological dynamics, and evolutionary studies.

Why are zoology Research Project Topics important?

Zoology Research Project Topics play a crucial role in deepening our understanding of the animal kingdom, driving conservation efforts, etc. It holds significant importance for several reasons:

Advancing Knowledge: They contribute to the expansion of knowledge in Zoology by exploring new aspects of animal biology, behavior, ecology, genetics, and physiology.
Addressing Conservation Needs: Research topics aid in understanding threats to biodiversity, endangered species, and habitat degradation, offering insights into conservation strategies.
Educational Development: They serve as learning tools for students, fostering critical thinking, research skills, and a deeper understanding of animal life and ecosystems.
Impact on Society: Research outcomes may influence policies, conservation efforts, and wildlife management practices, benefiting both animals and humans.
Innovation and Technology: Research projects often lead to innovative discoveries, new methodologies, and technological advancements relevant to animal science and welfare.
Contribution to Scientific Discourse: They contribute to scientific literature, enabling scholars to share findings, collaborate, and build upon existing knowledge in the field of Zoology.
Conservation and Environmental Awareness: By focusing on ecological issues and wildlife conservation, these topics raise awareness about the importance of preserving biodiversity and ecosystems.

How do I choose the best topic for a PhD in research in zoology?

Selecting the best topic for a PhD research in Zoology involves a thoughtful and strategic approach:

Identify Your Interests: Consider your passion and curiosity. Choose a topic that aligns with your interests, whether it’s animal behavior, ecology, genetics, conservation, or another aspect of Zoology.
Explore Existing Literature: Review current research papers, articles, and books within your field of interest. Identify gaps, unanswered questions, or emerging areas that intrigue you.
Consult with Experts: Engage with professors, advisors, or researchers in Zoology. Discuss potential topics, seek guidance, and explore their expertise to refine your research direction.
Consider Feasibility: Assess the feasibility of your chosen topic. Ensure access to resources, such as laboratories, equipment, fieldwork opportunities, and support from mentors.
Originality and Contribution: Aim for a topic that contributes to the field. Look for areas where your research can make a unique and significant contribution to Zoology, whether through new methodologies, discoveries, or innovative approaches.
Scope and Manageability: Ensure your topic is manageable within the scope of a PhD in zoology . It should be neither too broad nor too narrow, allowing for in-depth research while being achievable within the time frame.
Future Prospects: Consider the potential impact and future prospects of your research. How might it contribute to scientific discourse, conservation efforts, or technological advancements?
Personal and Career Goals: Reflect on how the chosen topic aligns with your long-term career aspirations and personal goals. A topic that excites you and holds long-term interest can sustain motivation throughout the PhD journey.

Zoology Project Topics And Materials Pdf

The Zoology Project Topics and Materials PDF offers a comprehensive collection of research themes covering various facets of animal biology, ecology, behavior, genetics, and conservation studies. This resource-rich PDF serves as a valuable guide, presenting diverse research avenues and educational materials for enthusiasts and scholars in Zoology.

Final words

The Zoology Research Project Topics and Materials serve as a valuable compass guiding aspiring zoologists through a diverse array of research avenues. This resource offers a treasure trove of knowledge, inviting exploration into the intricate world of animal life. From understanding animal behavior and physiology to unraveling the complexities of ecosystems and conservation, these topics ignite curiosity and offer a pathway to deeper understanding.

Each Zoology Research Project Topics and Materials within this compilation is a doorway to discovery, inviting students to delve into the wonders of the animal kingdom. It’s like having a map of an enchanted forest brimming with intriguing creatures and mysteries waiting to be unraveled. This resource empowers students to pick their adventure, encouraging them to ask questions, investigate, and unearth the marvels of the animal realm. With each topic sparking curiosity and imagination, it’s an invitation to research a good project through the captivating world of zoology.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best topic for a zoology assignment.

The best topic for a Zoology assignment depends on personal interest and the scope of research, such as animal behavior, ecological studies, genetics, or conservation efforts. Selecting a topic aligned with passion and research feasibility ensures a rewarding assignment experience.

What are some good topics for a final year project for a Bsc zoology?

Exploring animal behavior, biodiversity conservation, genetics, or ecological studies offers promising final year BSc Zoology project topics

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Animal Care

Conservation biology, animal care, health, and welfare.

Welcome to the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives' Zoology and Conservation Biology Research Guide. This is a select list of mostly freely-available resources for students, teachers, and researchers to learn about how our Smithsonian veterinarians, curators, keepers, and technicians fulfill their important roles. Please feel free to Contact Us with with suggestions for additional resources or with questions.

The Smithsonian's National Zoological Park and Conservation Biology Institute

National Zoological Park (NZP): Website for the Smithsonian's National Zoological Park, located in Washington, D.C., and home to more than 2,400 animals across 376 different species .
Smithsonian's Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI): Website for SCBI, featuring information on animal conservation efforts being undertaken, such as the Migratory Bird Center and Virginia Working Landscapes .
National Zoological Park Library : Library located on the grounds of the Smithsonian's National Zoological Park and Conservation Biology Institute.

Smithsonian Resources

Databases for Science Research : List of science research databases from the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives. Many offer free access, while others require users to be onsite at a Smithsonian branch library or have Smithsonian network access.
Biodiversity Heritage Library : Online library featuring open access legacy literature from the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives and a consortium of natural history and botanical libraries.
Encyclopedia of Life : Based on the idea of a "webpage for every species", this multilingual resource provides multimedia information about a large subsection of life on Earth.
Integrated Taxonomic Information System : Taxonomic database searchable by scientific and common names. Maintained through a partnership of Canadian, Mexican, and U.S. federal agencies, including the Smithsonian.
Animal Welfare (U.S. Department of Agriculture) : Homepage for the animal welfare programs provided by the USDA, including the Center for Animal Welfare and Animal Care Emergency Programs .
Approved Animal Drug Products (Federal Drug Administration) : Public list, known as the "Green List", of all drug products approved by the FDA for safe and effective use in animals.
Merck Veterinary Manual : Searchable collection of veterinary guides, manuals, and other resources for food-producing, companion, laboratory, and exotic animals.
Red List of Endangered Species : Searchable database from the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Provides information and analysis on the status, trends, and threats to species.
Global Invasive Species Database : Database of alien and invasive species, with information about lifecycle, habitat, impact, and management.
Conservation research in the African rain forests : PDF of the Wildlife Conservation Society's technical handbook for creating, managing, maintaining, and disseminating African rain forest research, in areas such as sampling, specimen collection, and population studies.
Traffic : Website featuring analysis and research of wildlife trade and related crimes from The Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network.
Elephant Database : Features interactive maps of known ranges of African elephants based on data from African Elephant Status Reports , provided by the IUCN SSC African Elephant Specialist Group (AfESG) .
Cranes: Their Biology, Husbandry, and Conservation : Free online book from the U.S. Geological Survey about cranes and their conservation.

Organizations and Associations

National Wildlife Health Center (United States Geological Survey) : Housed within the Department of the Interior, the USGS is an excellent resource for animal mortality data and event reporting .
Shape of Enrichment : Quarterly publication for animal trainers.
Wildlife Disease Association : International organization dedicated to the dissemination of information on wild animal diseases and health.
AGRICOLA : Freely available citation database from the US Department of Agriculture of agricultural publications and resources, including animal sciences, environmental sciences, and veterinary sciences.
Zoonotic Diseases : Contains information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans (i.e., zoonoses).
American Association of Zoo Veterinarians : Professional organization concerned with the welfare and conservation of zoo animals and wildlife species. Publishes the Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine (subscription required).
American College of Zoological Medicine : Specialty board in zoological veterinary medicine founded to increase research benefitting wildlife.
American Veterinary Medical Association : Accredits thirty schools of veterinary medicine within the United States and publishes the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Journal of Veterinary Research.
American Animal Hospital Association : Sole accrediting body for small animal hospitals in the United States and Canada. Hosts the Pet Microchip Lookup database.

Veterinary (Specialty)

American College of Veterinary Pathology : concerned with disease diagnosis, drug development, and research, the ACVP also manages certifying exams in veterinary anatomic or clinical pathology. Training programs are offered around the country at partner universities, as are student chapters that provide mentoring and scholarship opportunities.
Association of Zoo Veterinary Technicians : Started in 1981, the AZVT works to increase the visibility of veterinary technicians’ contributions to medicine and research, as well as advocate for improved professional standards.
Association of Avian Veterinarians : To further their cause, the AAV contains resources for setting up an avian-friendly practice , as well as providing members with access to ongoing research studies and their publication, the Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery Subscription .
Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians : Resource for professionals and owners alike. Publishes the Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery (now a part of BioOne Complete , a subscription-based, full-text biological/ecological/environmental database).
National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America : Though not zoo/wildlife specific, the NAVTA still offers useful resources for veterinary technicians, including the NAVTA Journal (membership required).

Veterinary (International)

British Veterinary Association : Non-profit dedicated to the education and careers of the United Kingdom’s veterinarians. Publishes Veterinary Record , In Practice , and Veterinary Record Case Reports (all require membership).
British Veterinary Zoological Society : Special division of the BVA . Promotes the care and welfare of exotic pets, wildlife, and zoo animals.
European Association of Zoo and Wildlife Veterinarians : Publishes the Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine , a highly-regarded journal, and the Transmissible Diseases Handbook .
Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies : Representing its US state and federal agency members (as well as Canadian and non-profit entities), the AFWA petitions Congress and the executive branch to protect natural resources. Also provides research grants and leads conservation initiatives.
Conservation International : Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, CI has a large footprint around the globe, creating research, executing field projects, and partnering with member governments.
Conservation Management Institute (Virginia Tech University) : Formerly a multi-state agency, CMI now provides comprehensive natural resource management services. CMI’s support helped create the Virginia Breeding Bird Atlas 2 .
Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust : To achieve its goal of keeping species from going extinct, the DWCT created the Durrell Index as a way to show the impact of conservation tools and methods.
Earth Institute Center for Environmental Sustainability (Columbia University) : Offers courses and degrees in conservation, environmental science, and sustainability.
Institute for Conservation Research (San Diego Zoo) : The Frozen Zoo collects and preserves genetic material of endangered species, as well as helping to identify animals illegally killed by poachers or trophy hunters. Databases like the Chromosome Atlas and Sperm Atlas offer one-of-a-kind research collections.
Monterey Bay Aquarium : Concerned with ecology, husbandry, and population ecology.
The Nature Conservancy : Offers tools for conservators, including Planting Healthy Air and Coastal Resilience .
NatureServe : Collects, analyzes, and disseminates actionable biodiversity data. The Explorer database houses information on 70,000 animals, plants, and ecosystems, while NatureServe’s conservation tools cover a wide range of needs.
Prairie Wildlife Research : promotes the conservation and reintroduction of prairie species within the US, partnering with federal and state agencies, universities, non-governmental organizations, and private landowners to further its mission.

International

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (Australia) : Independent federal agency whose chief responsibility is scientific research. Data Access Portal includes Workspace, a software platform for scientific workflow.
CONABIO (Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y uso de la Biodiversidad) : Inter-ministerial commission designed to promote awareness of biodiversity in Mexico. Repository for creation and collation of ecological data, as well as administration of federal initiatives in conservation.
Office International des Epizooties (World Organisation for Animal Health) : Made up of 182 member states, the OiE’s main goal is the control and prevention of zoonotic disease. OiE developed the World Animal Health Information System ( WAHIS ) to process and disseminate data on animal diseases as quickly as possible.
World Wildlife Fund for Nature : Science initiatives undertaken by the WWF, whose purpose is conservation of animals, ecology, and the environment.

Animal Specific

Vertebrate Zoology Research Guide - Reptiles and Amphibians : C ollection of links from the Vertebrate Zoology section of the Smithsonian Institution’s Natural and Physical Sciences Library .
Vertebrate Zoology Research Guide - Birds : C ollection of links from the Vertebrate Zoology section of the Smithsonian Institution’s Natural and Physical Sciences Library.
Vertebrate Zoology Research Guide - Fishes : C ollection of links from the Vertebrate Zoology section of the Smithsonian Institution’s Natural and Physical Sciences Library.
Vertebrate Zoology Research Guide - Mammals and Marine Mammals : C ollection of links from the Vertebrate Zoology section of the Smithsonian Institution’s Natural and Physical Sciences Library.

Zoo Associations and Consortia

Association of Zoos and Aquariums – in addition to representing over 230 zoos and aquaria around the world, the AZA provides significant resources for education, conservation, and animal care and welfare. A key role of the AZA is institution accreditation , as well as providing data on species survival statistics .
American Association of Zoo Keepers – networking and informational resource for professional zoo keepers. Publishes Animal Keepers’ Forum , found as full-text, searchable scans in Biodiversity Heritage Library .
Association of Zoological Horticulture – professional, member organization that promotes the importance of horticulture in zoos, aquaria, and botanical gardens.
European Association of Zoos and Aquaria – comprised of 340 member institutions across Europe and the Middle East. Operates the European Endangered Species Programme .

Advocacy Groups

American Society of International Law - Wildlife Interest Group : primarily concerned with ecotourism and its impact on natural habitats and their denizens.
Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ) – Nonprofit partner of Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park & Conservation Biology Institute.
International Society for Anthrozoology – supports the scientific study of human-animal interactions (HAI).
Zoological Society of London – for nearly two centuries, the ZSL has worked to conserve wildlife and their habitats. Reports on its activities can be found here .

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80 Zoology Research Topics

FacebookXEmailWhatsAppRedditPinterestLinkedInIf you are a researcher in the field of Zoology searching for intriguing research topics, you’ve landed on the right platform. Embarking on the exhilarating academic research journey, the crucial task of identifying suitable research topics lies at the forefront of their academic endeavors. As aspiring scholars in Zoology, selecting pertinent research topics is not […]

If you are a researcher in the field of Zoology searching for intriguing research topics, you’ve landed on the right platform. Embarking on the exhilarating academic research journey, the crucial task of identifying suitable research topics lies at the forefront of their academic endeavors. As aspiring scholars in Zoology, selecting pertinent research topics is not just a prerequisite but a pivotal element in shaping the trajectory of their undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral-level thesis or dissertation. This article endeavors to aid and inspire budding zoologists by presenting a curated list of compelling research topics tailored for various academic levels, empowering them to undertake their research odyssey with confidence and purpose.

Zoology, also known as animal biology, fauna studies, or animal science, is a scientific discipline that delves into the comprehensive analysis of animals and their biology, behavior, physiology, genetics, evolution, ecology, and classification.

A List Of Potential Research Topics In Zoology:

Exploring the genetics of venom production in venomous snakes and spiders.
Investigating the migration routes and navigation mechanisms of migratory birds.
Assessing the behavioral adaptations of urban-dwelling raccoons to human environments.
Analyzing the mechanisms of mimicry and camouflage in prey-predator interactions.
Investigating the role of pheromones in mate recognition and reproduction in insects.
Exploring the coevolutionary relationships between bats and their prey insects.
Exploring the resilience and adaptability of wildlife populations in response to COVID-19-related changes.
Investigating the effects of the pandemic on human-wildlife conflicts and coexistence.
Understanding the implications of altered tourism on wildlife and their habitats post-pandemic.
Investigating climate change’s impact on North American songbirds’ migratory patterns.
Analyzing the genetics of coloration and camouflage in chameleons and octopuses.
Assessing the physiological adaptations of deep-sea creatures to extreme hydrostatic pressures.
Investigating the role of gut microbiota in herbivorous mammals’ digestion and nutrient absorption.
Examining the physiological adaptations of extremophilic microorganisms in hot springs.
An extensive review of the evolutionary and ecological significance of animal mating systems.
Assessing the effects of deforestation on the population dynamics of Amazonian primates.
Assessing the effects of climate change on the nesting success of sea turtles.
Exploring the interplay between host-virus interactions in zoology and virology .
Analyzing the evolutionary history and phylogenetics of marsupial mammals in Australia.
A review of the ethical considerations in animal experimentation and research.
Understanding the effects of invasive species on native UK wildlife and ecosystems.
Examining the effects of temperature fluctuations on the reproductive success of reptiles.
Analyzing the effects of climate change on the breeding success of Antarctic seabirds.
Analyzing the effects of habitat disturbance on the behavior and physiology of birds of prey.
Examining the coevolutionary arms race between parasites and their fish hosts.
Assessing the physiological adaptations of desert animals to extreme heat and aridity.
Analyzing the impact of urbanization on the behavior and population dynamics of urban birds.
Exploring the role of song learning in communication among songbirds.
Investigating the relationship between climate change and the phenology of flowering plants in the UK.
Evaluating the role of wildlife in the transmission and persistence of novel pathogens post-COVID-19.
Analyzing the impact of light pollution on nocturnal behaviors of UK wildlife.
Examining the reproductive strategies and mate choice in Antarctic krill.
Assessing the impact of human disturbance on the nesting behavior of shorebirds.
Assessing the role of citizen science in monitoring and conserving UK insect populations.
Analyzing the genetic diversity of endangered marine turtle populations in the Pacific Ocean.
Analyzing the reproductive strategies and mating systems in marine crustaceans.
A meta-analysis of the effects of pollutants on marine life and ecosystems.
Analyzing the effects of habitat degradation on the feeding ecology of African elephants.
An in-depth analysis of the challenges and opportunities in wildlife reintroduction programs.
Investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on wildlife behavior and ecology.
Exploring the impact of pollution on the immune system of aquatic invertebrates.
A comprehensive review of the microbiome of various animal species and its implications for health and ecology.
Examining the reproductive strategies and parental care in seahorses and pipefish.
Assessing the effects of lockdown measures on urban wildlife populations.
Exploring the role of scent marking in territorial behavior among carnivorous mammals.
Analyzing the foraging behavior and diet specialization of marine mammals in the Arctic.
Assessing the ecological implications of invasive species on native reptile populations in the Everglades.
Assessing the physiological adaptations of Arctic marine mammals to cold-water environments.
Exploring the role of chemical cues in predator avoidance in aquatic prey species.
Investigating the evolution of flightlessness in island-dwelling birds.
Examining the social organization and communication in primate societies.
Analyzing the role of scent cues in navigation and homing behavior in sea turtles.
Assessing the effects of anthropogenic noise on marine mammal communication.
Assessing the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on conservation efforts and protected areas management.
Assessing the role of symbiotic microbes in the digestive systems of herbivorous insects.
Investigating the role of bioluminescence in deep-sea ecosystems and its ecological significance.
Assessing the conservation status and habitat preferences of UK bat species.
Comparative analysis of biodiversity conservation strategies in zoology and area studies .
Examining the effects of agricultural practices on UK soil fauna and ecosystem health.
Investigating the genetic diversity and population dynamics of endangered species in the UK.
Examining the evolutionary adaptations of deep-sea creatures to extreme hydrothermal conditions.
Investigating the impact of light pollution on nocturnal behavior and navigation in bats.
Exploring the mating strategies and sexual selection in African savanna ungulates.
Understanding the implications of Brexit on wildlife conservation policies and initiatives in the UK.
Examining changes in animal migration patterns due to reduced human activity during the pandemic.
A systematic review of the role of zoos in wildlife conservation and education.
Analyzing the coevolutionary relationships between parasites and their avian hosts.
Assessing the effects of climate change on the distribution of alpine plant-eating insects.
Assessing the effects of habitat fragmentation on the genetic diversity of terrestrial mammals.
Investigating the ecological consequences of invasive plant species on herbivorous insects.
Analyzing the effects of climate change on UK bird migration patterns and behavior.
Investigating the impact of pollution on the health of urban bird populations.
Investigating the role of cultural transmission in tool use among primates.
A comprehensive review of animal behavior in response to climate change.
Investigating the impact of ocean acidification on the physiology and behavior of coral reef fish.
A critical analysis of the impact of habitat fragmentation on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.
Investigating the influence of social hierarchy on stress levels in primates.
Assessing the role of microbiota in the immune response of fish to pathogens.
Analyzing the relationship between air pollution reduction during COVID-19 and its influence on wildlife health.
Investigating the genetics of longevity and aging in long-lived tortoises and whales.

In conclusion, venturing into the realm of Zoology for thesis or dissertation research offers many captivating opportunities across diverse academic levels. Whether at the undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral level, students can delve into exciting topics such as animal behavior, evolutionary biology, marine biology, genetics, ecology, and more. These research domains beckon scholars to explore, innovate, and contribute to the ever-evolving field of Zoology, enriching our understanding of the fascinating world of animals and the intricate ecosystems they inhabit.

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[100+] Zoology Research Topics For College Students With Free [Thesis Pdf] 2023

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Research Topic For Zoology 2023

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145 Zoology Essay Topics

🏆 best essay topics on zoology, 👍 good zoology research topics & essay examples, 🌶️ hot zoology ideas to write about, ✍️ zoology essay topics for college, 💡 simple zoology essay ideas, 📌 easy zoology essay topics, ❓ zoology essay questions.

Animals Division and Classification
Actinopterygii: The Evolution of Ray-Finned Fishes
Teacup Dogs: Appearance, History, Health Complications, Art
Animal Behavior of a Snake
Symbiotic Relationship Between Cleaner Gobies and Fish
Watching Animals at the Zoo
Nature Versus Nurture in Dog Aggression
The Turtle-Headed Sea Snake’s Habitation Areas The paper aims to know the exact areas that turtle-headed sea snakes inhabit and quantify the number of such species within that vicinity.
Anatomy, Physiology, and Living Habitats of Red Panda Red Panda the mammalian species native to southwestern China and the eastern Himalayas. They are the only members of the Ailuridae family
Reptiles and How They Fit in Their Phylum Reptiles are a large class of animals consisting of thousands of species and have common features, including cold blood, dry skin, and eggs for reproduction.
Giraffe Neck as Result of Sexual Selection The paper reviews giraffe’s evolutions theories and compares their relevance. It concludes that sexual selection theory offers a better explanation for long necks in giraffes.
Octopuses: The Reproductive Process Octopuses are oviparous animals, which means that they lay the eggs outside their body. The female octopus’ mission is to produce viable eggs and ensure that its children come out.
Kakapo Should Be Urgently Saved from Extinction This paper aims to investigate the rationale of specific measures to support the statement: kakapo should be urgently saved from extinction.
Turdus Migratorius, American Robin The American Robin is also known as Turdus migratorius is a medium-sized migratory songbird that belongs to the “thrush” genus.
Horse Population, Evolution, and Physiology The evolution of horses occurred over a period of 55 million years. By analyzing bones and DNA of the ancient horses, we are able to get an idea about their origins.
Primates and Their Defining Characteristics Primates are the group of mammals. This group consists of such animals as monkeys, lemurs, and apes. Humans are primates too.
Becoming a Cat Owner Getting a pet cat might sound very easy – and, it fact, it is – but it is the process of becoming its owner that might need some practice. Some guidelines might be of great use.
How to Groom Your Pet? Dogs need to have good hygienic care. The dog owner can learn how to groom his or her dog. There are professional groomers whose sole responsibility in life is to groom dogs at a fee.
Nagel’s “What Is It Like to Be a Bat?”: The Concept of Conscious Experience “What Is It Like To Be A Bat?” uses the bat as an illustration of the ability to understand the mind and body operation and how the bat displays its character during an action.
Feline Mental Health and Separation Anxiety The paper discusses feline mental health based on separation anxiety, behavioral categories, significant symptoms, risk factors, and implications.
Psychological Well-Being of Captive Animals and Types of Enrichment The psychological well-being of captive animals is essential from a moral point of view and because of the animal’s physical condition.
The Impact of Physical, Chemical, and Biological Agents on Marine Mammals The development of ecosystems is affected by various physical, biological, and chemical agents, and these effects can be both positive and negative.
Sexual Reproduction: Advantages and Disadvantages Although sexual reproduction can bring some shortcomings of the parents into the next generation, it tends to favor positive traits.
Skull Evolution in the Rhinocerotidae: Phylogeny of Early Rhinocerotoids Modern rhinos with a pointed upper lip and a two-horned African rhino with a wide rectangular mouth, are pitiful remnants of a rich in species group of mammals.
Chihuahua and a Pitbull as a House Pet: Comparison The Chihuahua and the Pitbulls can be safely kept as house pets, provided the required amount of exercise and correct training and handling are given regularly and from the puppy stage.
Consciousness and Emotions in Animals The paper indicates that animals can sense and respond to external factors and experience emotions generated in their neural system.
Hawksbill Turtle Scientific Description Hawksbill is a sea turtle named after their narrow, pointed beak resembling that of a hawk, and they use it to find food from cracks and crevices.
Florida Wildlife: Burmese Python Burmese Python feed on other animal species such as birds, crocodiles, and mammals. This type of snake is common in South Florida in the Everglades National Park.
Grey Squirrels: Fieldwork Observations The presented observations of grey squirrels’ behavior might be implemented for estimating animal intelligence and cognition.
Marsupials: Evolutionary History, Key Features, and Ecological Role This paper discusses marsupials to present a phylogeny of their in-group and out-group taxa, key features that unite the clade, ecological roles played by some of these features.
A Peacock Spider’s Mating Rituals and Reproduction This report will cover the mating rituals and all other aspects of the reproductive cycle of a peacock spider.
Bonobos’ Sexual Receptivity and Social Behaviour This researcher intends to confirm the behavior patterns of the bonobos. The behaviors in relationship to sociosexual patterns are being assessed.
The North Carolina Zoo Animal Management The North Carolina Zoo is concerned about the animal’s natural environment and it has a project of expanding rhinoceros exhibit at a cost of $6 million.
Horses as Pampered Prisoners in Henderson’s Book While horses do not experience direct abuse, their seemingly favorable living conditions result in psychological and physiological suffering for today’s sport horses.
Should Apartments Ban Dogs Based on Breed? This paper argues that apartments should ban dogs based on breed as a step forward to curbing bite-related cases by specific vicious breeds.
Feline Mental Health and Separation-Related Problems Physical health in cats has been a very commonly reviewed topic. But it also sparks discussions regarding feline mental health.
Cause and Clinical Characteristics of Rib Fractures in Cats Nontraumatic rib fractures are more common in cats with diseases that induce prolonged respiratory effort or coughing, metabolic conditions, or certain neoplasms.
Blue Macaws: How to Prevent Their Extinction? The blue macaws preferred plain vegetation: single tall trees, thorny shrubs, groves of palm trees, forest belts, and river banks.
“Diet Choice and the Functional Response of Beavers” by Fryxell and Doucet “Diet Choice and the Functional Response of Beavers” by Fryxell and Doucet explores how the beaver diet would change under the influence of the local environment.
Aspects of Waterfowl Monitoring The paper states that for monitoring waterfowl within particular wetland areas identified on the attached map, twenty-four sites will be chosen.
Ornithology: Annotated Bibliography The authors conduct a profound literature review that seeks to explain the antecedents of this practice and present their investigation results.
“Resistance of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) Prions to Inactivation”: Article Summary This article aims to define the patterns of inactivation of the infectious proteins known as “prions” of bovine spongiform encephalopathy from cattle, mice, hamsters, and humans.
Witless Bay Seabird Ecological Reserve Management Witless Bay Seabird Ecological Reserve seeks to protect the seabird species from various risks and preserve the existence of special breeds.
Geladas: Habitat and Causes of Extinction Geladas are large-sized monkeys with massive jaw parts and long brown fur. They live in the high mountains and descend to search for some grass and plants.
The Process of Excretion in Rodents This paper focuses on the process of excretion in rodents, aiming to synthesize and evaluate the current body of academic knowledge.
Costs and Benefits of Being Honest Among Non-Human Primates Species typically live in groups where they should involve in cooperation with other living creatures for feeding, breeding, and others.
“Modus Ponens”: Horses Should Have Pink Hair This paper argues that horses should have pink hair. It argues for this conclusion via the deductive form called “modus ponens.”
Natural Migration to Bring Wolves Back to Colorado Not all communities, as well as animals, are ready for artificial reintroduction, and Colorado needs to open its doors for wolves naturally, with all related pros and cons.
Modern-Day Chimpanzee and Ancestor Comparison In this paper, the organism of focus will be the Modern-day Chimpanzee. It is also referred to as chimp, robust chimpanzee, or common chimpanzee.
Should Wolves Come Back to Colorado? The article’s aim is expected to prove that grey wolves coming back may have a number of benefits for the citizens, the state, and the country in general.
Scientific Taxonomy and Earths Biodiversity Ruscha’s rat and giant panda were selected for the analysis of mammals. The similar features of all the mammals are shared among all the species
Nutrition for Gorillas at the National Zoo The National Zoo is situated along Connecticut Avenue in Washington, D.C. This essay discusses nutrition for gorillas at the National Zoo.
Defining and Measuring Biodiversity The biodiversity factor should be taken into consideration to breed animals successfully and prevent them from becoming extinct.
Analysis of Sea Lampreys Problem Sea lampreys reduce the fish population, which affects the livelihoods of people. They negatively influence economic activities such as tourism and fishing in lakes.
Anatomy, Physiology, and Living Habitats of Tanuki Tanuki, also called the Japanese Racoon Dog, is a subspecies of the Asian Racoon Dog. It belongs in the Canid family, with their close relatives being wolves, foxes, and domestic dogs
Why the King Salmon Population Keeps Getting Smaller Human impact on landscapes and ecosystems, combined with fishing and the increase in the number of other fish, is negatively influencing the populations of chinook salmon.
Sharks Characteristics Analysis: Danger of Extinction If the sharks disappear from our oceans, a catastrophic imbalance shall occur and affect the human food supply chain as well as the ocean ecosystem.
Implicit Memory: Animal Observation The focal point of this paper is to enumerate the observation of an animal outside the class in relation to a concept of general psychology.
Resource Value Effects Territorial Defense by Broad-Tailed and Rufous Hummingbirds The species apply expensive territorial behavior to defend its territory. The defending mechanism may change of the quality of resource changes.
Primate Behavior: Observing and Comparing Observing and comparing primate behavior to humans sheds new light on the evolutionary theory by highlighting important connections between our behavior and primates.
How Dogs Respond to Hugging? Comparing the article and newspaper story, we can find some similarities. First, both these are devoted to the same issue and describe how dogs respond to hugging.
The Threat to Gharial Crocodiles in Protected Areas Fishing, agriculture, sand mining, and water extraction for irrigation are a few activities that pose threats to the crocodiles in the protected areas.
Teat Dipping and Milk Iodine Concentrations in Dairy Cows The review gives approaches to optimal udder preparation practices before and after milking to obtain high-quality milk.
Birds Starvation and Death in Alaska The article Thousands of Birds Found Dead along Alaskan Shoreline by Seth Kovar and Steve Almasy addresses the death of the birds in Alaska because of starvation.
Bonobos and Common Chimps Comparison Common chimps and bonobos differ in a number of ways. This paper looks at the similarities and differences that exist between bonobos and common chimps.
Metabolic Power Budgeting and Adaptive Strategies in Zoology: Examples From Scallops and Fish
The Importance of Zoology to Medical Science
A Problem of Zoological Taxonomy: Why Is the Cassowary Not a Bird?
Quantitative Zoology: Numerical Concepts and Methods in the Study of Recent and Fossil Animals
The Type-Concept in Zoology During the First Half of the 19th Century
Research Strategies to Improve Honeybee Health in Europe
New Concepts and Methods for Phylogenetic Taxonomy and Nomenclature in Zoology
A New Bleaching and Decalcifying Method for General Use in Zoology
Zoology Students’ Experiences of Collaborative Enquiry in Problem-Based Learning
The Relationship Between College Zoology Students’ Beliefs About Evolutionary Theory and Religion
How Technology Can Be Used to Enhance Zoological Parks
The Changing Roles of Zoological Parks in Conserving Biological Diversity
Resolving a Zoological Mystery: The Kouprey Is a Real Species
Situating and Teaching 21st Century Zoology: Revealing Pattern in the Form and Function of Animals
Concepts and Issues With Interspecies Scaling in Zoological Pharmacology
Deer Antlers: A Zoological Curiosity or the Key to Understanding Organ Regeneration in Mammals?
Marine Invertebrate Diversity in Aristotle’s Zoology
Anatomical Information Content in the Ediacaran Fossils and Their Possible Zoological Affinities
Species and “Strange Species” in Zoology: Do We Need a Unified Concept of Species?
Zoological Considerations on the Origins of Farming and Domestication
The Domestic Cat: The Biology of Its Behavior
Local Variations in the Response of Birds to Human Presence in Urban Areas
Concept-Driven Teaching and Assessment in Invertebrate Zoology
DNA Fingerprinting in Zoology: Past, Present, Future
Why Do Species Exist in Zoology: Insights From Sexuals and Asexuals
The Movement to Curtail Animal Dissections in Zoology Curriculum
Studying the History of Pre-modern Zoology With Linked Data and Vocabularies
Behavior as a Tool in the Assessment of Animal Welfare
Zoological Diagnostics of Soils: Imperatives, Purposes, and Place Within Soil Zoology and Pedology
Climate Change and Invasive Species: Double Jeopardy
Amphibians in Zoos: A Global Approach on Distribution Patterns of Threatened Amphibians in Zoological Collections
The Meaning of Object Permanence at Different Zoological Levels
Some Recent Advances in Zoology and Their Relation to Present-Day Problems
Social Competition and Its Consequences in Female Mammals
Animal Learning and Memory: An Integration of Cognition and Zoology
Concept of Scientific Wildlife Conservation and Its Dissemination
Zoology: The Hidden History of the American Western Horse
Innovation in Teaching and Learning Invertebrate Zoology in Remote and Online Classrooms
Current Perspectives on Curriculum Needs in Zoological Medicine
Innate Immunity Receptors in the Perspective of Zoological Research
Big City Life: Carnivores in Urban Environments
Zoology Meets Botany: Establishing Intracellular Organelles by Endosymbiosis
Progress in the Zoology and Conservation of Giant Pandas
Comparison of the Genomes of Human and Mouse Lays the Foundation of Genome Zoology
Bounds of Diversity: Queer Zoology in Europe From Aristotle to John Hunter
The Thermal Ecology and Zoology of Reptiles & Amphibians
An Overview of Crustacean Discoveries and New Perspectives on Deep-Sea Zoology and Biogeography
Marine Zooceuticals: Synergy of Zoology & Pharmaceuticals
From Seabed to World Wide Web: Marine Zoological Sampling, Data Processing, and Production of Digital Marine Faunas
Zoology: Its History, Branches, Importance, and Applications
How Has Zoology Changed Over Time?
Is Zoology an Exact Science?
What Is the Importance of Ritualization in Zoology?
Is Animal Science Considered Zoology?
What Is the Difference Between Zoology and Botany?
What Are the Subdisciplines of Zoology?
How Does Evolution Relate to Zoology?
What Is the Meaning of the Term Zoology in Biological Studies?
How Are Zoology and Marine Biology Related?
Why Is Cytology Important in the Study of Zoology?
What Is Fieldwork in Zoology For?
How Many Different Branches of Zoology Are There?
What Is Urban Zoology?
How Is Zoology Related to Other Specializations?
What Is Symmetry and Its Types in Zoology?
Why Is Aristotle the Father of Zoology?
Why Was Charles Darwin Important to Zoology?
How Many Types of Zoology Are There?
What Is Differentiation in Zoology?
Does Zoology Study Animals With Radial Symmetry?
What Is Intraspecific Competition in Zoology?
Is the Existence of Undiscovered Species Possible in Zoology?
What Is an Example of Heterosis in Zoology?
What Is the Purpose of Zoology?
What Is the Function of the Pallial Sinus in Zoology?
Do Dinosaurs Fit in the Category of Zoology?
What Is the Difference Between Zoology and Veterinary Medicine?
What Are the Biological Principles of Zoology?
How Are Zoology and Ecology Related?
What Is the Significance of Zoology for Medicine?

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These essay examples and topics on Zoology were carefully selected by the StudyCorgi editorial team. They meet our highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, and fact accuracy. Please ensure you properly reference the materials if you’re using them to write your assignment.

This essay topic collection was updated on December 27, 2023 .

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100 Zoology Dissertation Topic

List of 100 zoology msc, phd dissertation topic ideas.

Earthly life is studied in biology and zoology. In the context of this field, invertebrates and vertebrates are researched, along with their morphology, the physiologic underpinnings of their lifestyles, geographic distribution, origin, categorization, function in the biosphere and in human existence, and techniques for intravital observation.

Therefore, regardless of the level of accreditation of the educational institution, zoology dissertations are crucial for students of many disciplines. The student learns to emphasise the key details in the subject of zoology, explain these details succinctly, and thoroughly research a particular issue while writing, reading, and memorising this work. Teachers or students themselves may select the themes for their dissertations.

It takes a lot of time and effort to thoroughly research the topics in the field of zoology. Numerous subjects and issues can be researched in biology and zoology. For your consideration, we've chosen the subjects that are both theoretically and practically intriguing. In the section below, we'll explain how to pick the ideal theme.

How Should You Choose the Best Zoology Dissertation Topic?

Since the topic must satisfy several requirements, choosing a topic for a zoology dissertation is always one of the most difficult phases for a student. Relevance, information correctness, absence of abstractness, accessibility of freshness, and elaboration are a few examples. Check your dissertation topic for all of the aforementioned if you have chosen an intriguing subject.

We suggest that you rephrase the topic for the best outcomes. By doing this, you may focus on a smaller region of the problem, which will make future work easier and save time. Let's use an illustration. It is far simpler to produce a strong student paper that touches on intractable basic scientific questions than it is to compose a solid dissertation on the subject of zoology with a specific item or problem in the title. Make writing your dissertation as easy as possible for yourself.

Additionally, you may ask our support gurus for assistance if you are unable to select a theme on your own. A professional will advise you on a topic that will be beneficial, timely, and in demand for you during your university studies or assist you in selecting the ideal topic.

Topics for Zoology Dissertations

Aristotle and his views on animals Classification of animals (Aristotle, Linnaeus, Lamarck, Cuvier).
Reconstruction of the invertebrate phylogeny. Modern methods.
Ctenophores are life forms.
Worms with cephalopod bodies.
Polychaete reproduction and growth
The importance of oligochaetes in improving soil fertility.
Leeches have therapeutic properties.
Torsion mechanism in gastropods.
A subkingdom is a contemporary notion. Protists of medicinal importance
The discovery of trichoplax and the origin of multicellular creatures. Its importance in comprehending the development of multicellular creatures.
Body symmetry in invertebrates.
Adaptation of mollusks with lamellar gills to the passive lifestyle of biofilters.
Organ and organ system formation in non-intestinal turbellaria.
Human trematodes and cestodoses
Non-helminths, geohelminths, and biohelminths Cycles of development
Cephalopods are marine primates.
The appearance of arthropods on land.
A wide range of crustaceans. Crustaceans that are parasitic.
The origin of insect mouthparts.
Proto-arthropods. Diversity is vital for understanding arthropod evolution.

20 Excellent Zoology Dissertation Topics

Parasitic flagellates and parasitic sarcode organisms Are they pathogens that cause human and animal diseases?
Flagellates with a plant type of exchange and flagellates with an animal type of exchange
Sporozoans as protozoal disease causing agents in humans and animals
There are several types of Infusoria.
Protozoa radiation in the environment
Theories of how multicellular creatures evolved.
Creeping is a systematic variant of the type.
The comb type's general features.
The Flatworm type's ecological diversity.
Ecto- and endoparasitism in multicellular organisms as the emergence of new microbiotopes Parasite classifications.
Nematodes are the most common pathogens in humans and domestic animals.
Rotifer morpho-ecological characteristics
Mollusks' adaptive radiation results in the assimilation of numerous environments. Mollusk ecological radiation in nutritional processes.
Characteristics of the Polyplacophora and Monoplacophora classes.
Cephalopod organisation characteristics.
Annelid diversity and ecological features Adaptive radiation and macrosystem type
The primitive characteristics of trilobite organisation.
Xiphosura class general features (Horseshoe crabs).
The practical utility of arachnids includes toxic arachnids, parasites, and infection vectors in humans and domestic animals.
The system of interconnected arthropod adaptations to terrestrial life.

20 Fascinating Zoology Dissertation Topics

Insects take flight. Insects' medicinal significance
Insects are considered agricultural pests.
Various needle-skinned creatures
Vestimentifera and Pogonophora
Bryozoans and their significance
Brachiopods serve as guiding fossils.
Invertebrate phylogeny.
Plant protection by biological means.
Arachnids of several types.
Ticks have medicinal importance.
Anatomical comparison of the vertebrate circulatory system.
The evolution theory: issues concerning evolution.
Protists: notion and medicinal importance
Anatomical comparison of the vertebrate musculoskeletal system.
Crustacean reproduction, development, and life cycles Crustacean parasitism adaptation.
Myriapoda superclass general features
Anatomical comparison of the vertebrate genitourinary system.
Anatomical comparison of the vertebrate nervous system.
The Earth's life. In zoology, species and speciation. Classification of animals
Definition and zoological notions of anthropogenesis

20 Ideas for Zoology Dissertations

Insect habitat diversity and taxonomic diversity
Insect morphofunctional characteristics that offered a complex of adaptations to the terrestrial existence.
Cyclostomes have primitive characters, specialisation, and unique features linked with a parasitic existence.
Tunicata or Urochordata subtype systematic diversity
Chordate origin theories include Garstang's theory and Severtsov's theory. Chordate ancestors and their way of life.
Tunicates' biology and ecology as an adaptation to a primarily sedentary existence.
Ecological classes of fish based on food type and feeding strategies.
Cystophera and lungfishes have been proposed as probable ancestors of amphibians.
The major groupings of ancient and current echinoderm species.
Echinoderm embryonic development, major larval forms, and metamorphosis
Systematic variation in bony fish (Osteichthyes).
Amphibian adaptation to the growth of the ground-air ecosystem.
The main taxonomic groupings of amphibians, their representatives, structural characteristics, dietary ecology, and reproduction.
Reptile taxonomic categories, representatives, structural traits, nutrition ecology, and reproduction.
Birds' morphological and physiological adaptations to flying. Modern bird classification system.
Symmetry in invertebrates.
Mammals evolved from animal-like reptiles. The contemporary Mammal classification scheme.
The major paleochronological stages in the development of animals.
Evolution and Development of Multicellular Organisms
Dinosaurs, Ichthyosaurs, Plesiosaurs, and Pterosaurs are extinct reptile groups.

20 Zoology Dissertation Topics

Parasites: general traits, human importance Turbellaria in the intestine.
Chordates: an explanation of the species, structure, and characteristics of life. Chordates are the sensory organs.
Reptiles: structural characteristics, life, and habitat
Vertebrates: structural characteristics, categorization
Fish that are round, cartilaginous, and bony.
Invertebrates' circulatory, genitourinary, neurological, and musculoskeletal systems.
Crustaceans: environment, structure, and parasite examples
An summary of numerous instances of avian structure.
Arthropods: environment and life characteristics
Subtypes include skulls and tunicates.
Human thermodoses and cestodoses People value them.
Cephalopods, polychaetes, geohelminths, and biohelminths are all types of worms. Leeches are used in medicine.
Cephalopods: species description, key traits
Arachnids: anatomies and classifications
The animal kingdom's phylogeny.
Vertebrate respiratory organs Vertebrate skull and circulatory system
Mammals: characteristics, structure, and comparative anatomical investigation of two representatives
Fish and amphibian skin. Primary water and vertebrate digestive systems
Definition and description of anamnias and amniotes.

Finish Your Conclusion

During your university education, you can explore many more zoological themes and learn new things. The themes of students' independent work might be adjusted or augmented depending on the curriculum.

It's conceivable that you're drawn to challenging questions and unresolved issues. In this instance, keep in mind that time is not on your side. The dissertation has been in the works for a long time. Perhaps it is better to postpone a more difficult topic for the future and instead write a term paper or an article for a scientific publication.

It makes no difference whether your abstract topic was picked independently or from a list. The teacher will most likely know the solution to any questions you have and will assist you in avoiding mistakes when drafting the abstract. Furthermore, if you have already picked a topic but are unsure of your talents or capabilities, you may always seek assistance from our dissertation writing service pros. After submitting a brief application, you may be confident that your dissertation will be produced efficiently, swiftly, and on time. We are always available to assist you!

Frequently asked questions

How do i choose a dissertation topic for zoology .

Animal-related theories were put forth by Aristotle.
reconstruction of the invertebrate phylogeny.
the idea of a subkingdom in modern times.
the discovery of trichoplax, as well as the creation of multicellular creatures.
the symmetry of an insect's body.
Ctenophores have life forms.

Which topic is best for PhD in zoology ?

The most fascinating subjects that might be beneficial to you in college are listed below.

Transport and communication between cells throughout development.
Salmonid population dynamics and history.
The sub-Antarctic penguins' past breeding patterns.
Honey bee dopamine regulation
development of parasites.

Which topic is best for dissertation ?

Here are 3 excellent dissertation topics.

Internet influence on pupils' social and spiritual values.
One of an educational organization's primary goals should be to promote a democratic culture among teenagers.
High school students' cultural autonomy in the social studies and humanities curriculum.

What are the topics in zoology ?

Some modules you could take include:

Evolution and extinction.
the primates' psyche.
laboratory expertise.
Cellular control and genes.
aquatic biology.
Animal conduct.
parasites, illness, and immunity.
life and evolution's patterns.

What is the best course after BSc zoology ?

Certificate Programs Following a BS in Zoology.

Forensics of wildlife.
Animal Science.
conservation and primatology.
Animal welfare: ethics and the law.
Management of the environment.
Photography.
maintaining zoos.
Journalism.

Which university is better for zoology ?

California State University, Santa Barbara

Can you do PhD after MSc zoology ?

Yes, you may pursue a Ph.D. in zoology after earning your MSc. For the MSc in Zoology, you must receive a 55%. You must take the Ph. D entrance exam offered by the University, and admission will be granted based on your performance on the test.

Which subject is best for MSc zoology ?

Candidates with a strong background in biochemistry, animal biodiversity, cell, and molecular biology, ecology, physiology, and environment management are required for the MSc in zoology program. These topics make up some of the most crucial concept-building components of the zoology curriculum.

Which is better zoology or botany ?

If you are more interested in plants, you should major in botany, and if you are more interested in animal life, you should major in zoology.

What is scope of zoology ?

A candidate with a master's degree in zoology has a wide range of opportunities. They can serve as veterinarians, forensic scientists, lab technicians, zoology academics, wildlife educators, conservationists, wildlife biologists, zoo curators, and animal behaviorists.

Is a degree in zoology worth it ?

Graduates may find employment in academia or private sector, but many go on to further their education in order to develop the specific skills needed for their chosen vocations. Jobs as wildlife scientists or park rangers are available at the entry-level. Working with wildlife conservation groups or animal shelters is also very common.

Is zoology a good career ?

For people who are eager to learn about biodiversity and willing to take on difficulties, it is a wonderful career choice.

Which is better chemistry or zoology ?

Compared to zoology and botany, chemistry has a wider application. Go for zoology and botany if you want to pursue a career in teaching and research, but you have more options in chemistry to work in the pharmaceutical, chemical, and food production industries as well as in teaching and research.

What are the project topics for zoology undergraduate students ?

Animal virus.
Growth of the skeletal system.
Assembly of cells in embryos.
Central Nervous System Synapses
Biology of Behavior.
Biological system interactions.

When did zoology begin ?

12th century

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212 Unique Biology Research Topics For Students And Researchers

Every student studying something related to biology — botany, marine, animal, medicine, molecular or physical biology, is in an interesting field. It’s a subject that explores how animate and inanimate objects relate to themselves. The field unveils the past, the present, and what lies in the future of the relationship between the living and nonliving things.

This is precisely why you need custom and quality biology topics for your college and university essay or project. It’ll make it easy to brainstorm, research, and get to writing straight away. Before the deep dive, what is biology?

What Is Biology?

Everyone knows it’s the scientific study of life, but beyond that, biology facilitates the comprehension of living and nonliving things. It’s a branch that explores their anatomy, behavior, distribution, morphology, and physiology.

For example, it understands how genes are classified and constituted into generations. It encompasses various branches, including botany, medicine, genetics, ecology, marine biology, zoology, and molecular biology.

Here are what some of these mean:

Botany: This study of plants examines their structure, physiology, ecology, economic importance, and distribution, among others. It also deals with their biochemical processes, properties, and social interactions between plants. It extends to how plants are vital for human life, survival, and growth and how they play a significant role in stabilizing environmental health. Zoology: Zoology studies animal behavior, brain, structure, physiology, class, and distribution. It’s the general study of the lives of both living and extinct animals. It explains animal classification, the animal kingdom, evolution, habitat, embryology, and life span. Physiology: Physiology deals with the daily functions of the human body: How it works and the factors that make it work. It examines molecular behavior, the chemistry and physics behind locomotion, and how the cells in the living organisms’ body function. It helps understand how humans and animals get sick and what can be done to alleviate pain. Microbiology: Dealing with microorganisms, it examined how viruses, algae, fungi, bacteria, protozoa, and slime molds become parts of human life. They’re regarded as microbes, which play substantial roles in the human biochemical processes, including climate change, biodegradation, biodeterioration, food spoilage, biotech, and epidemiology. Marine Biology: This is the scientific study of organs in the sea. It understands their family classification, how they survive, and what makes wild marine animals different from domesticated and consumable ones. It also explores their interaction with the environment through several processes. The marine biologist studies marines in their natural environment, collects data on their characteristics, human impact on their living, and how they relate with themselves.

Now that you know all these, here are some custom biology topics to research for your university or college essay and paper.

Controversial Biology Topics

There are many controversial subjects in every field, and biology isn’t exempt from controversy. If you’d like to create an original essay through diverse opinions, here are biology topics for you:

What are your thoughts on the post-Roe V Wade world?
How can the post-Roe V Wade policy affect developing countries looking up to America for their laws?
Abortion and feminism: discuss
Does saving life justify cloning?
Explain the principle of abortion in medical practice
The effects of cloning in medicine
How does genetics contribute to obesity?
Explain why a parent could have Hepatitis B virus and only one of five offspring have the virus
Is homosexuality really in the gene?
How does depression correlate with genetics?
Additives and how they affect the genes
Examine how genetic mutations work
Discuss the grounds that you could prove for legalizing human cloning
Which is more immoral: Human or animal cloning?
How is nanotechnology different from biotechnology?
Discuss the manifestation of nanotechnology in science
Explain three instances where public opinion has held back scientific inventions
How does transgenic crop work?
Would you say genetically modified food is safe for consumption?
Explain why sexual abuse leads to trauma.

Biology Research Paper Topics

You’d need to write an extensive paper on biology one day. This could be when you’re in your final year in college or the university or submitting to a competition. You’d need Biology topics to research for brainstorming, and here are 30 of them:

Stem cells and tissue formation processes
Why are there different congenital disabilities?
Mixtures in anticancer drugs?
What are the complexities of existing HIV drugs?
What is the contribution of chemotherapy to cancer?
Examine the chemotherapy process and why it doesn’t work for some patients.
Explain the origin of developmental diseases
How do germs affect the cells?
What are the consequences of the sun on the white person’s and black person’s skin?
Why are some diseases treatable through drugs while some are not?
Scientific lessons learned from COVID-19 and ideas to tackle the next virus
If animals are carriers of the virus, what should be done to them?
Examine five animals in extinction and what led to it
Discuss the subject of endangered species and why people should care
Is a plant-based diet sustainable for human health?
Account for the consequence of living on Mars on human health
Discuss the inconveniences involved in space travel
How does space flight contribute to environmental disasters
Discuss the emergence of leukemia
Explain how the immune systems in humans work
Evaluate the factors that weaken the immunological system
What would you consider the deadliest virus?
Autoimmune: what is it, origin and consequences
Immune disorder: origin and how it affects the body
Does stress affect the ability to have sex?
Contribution of vaccine to eradicating disease: Discuss
What are the complexities in taking the Hepatitis B vaccine while being positive?
Allergies: why do humans have them?
DNA modification: how does it work?
Explain the misconceptions about the COVID-19 vaccines.

Interesting Biology Topics

Biology doesn’t have to be boring. Different aspects of biology could be fun to explore, especially if you’ve had a flair for the study since your elementary school classes.

You can either write an essay or paper with the following interesting biology research topics:

Human emotions and conflicts with their intellectual intelligence
Emotions: Its influence on art and music and how the perception of art influences the world
The consequences of marijuana and alcohol on teenagers
Compare and contrast how alcohol affects teenagers and adults
Discuss the contributions of neuroscience to the subject of emotional pain
Explain how the brain process speech
Discuss the factors that cause autism
Explain what is meant when people say humans are animals
Why do scientists say humans are pessimists?
Factors contributing to the dopamine levels human experience
How does isolation affect the human brain?
What factors contribute to instinctive responses?
Noise pollution: how it affects living organisms
Fire ecology: The contributions of plants to fire outbreak
Explain the science behind how hot temperature, soil, and dry grass start a fire
Microbes: what do you understand by bioremediation?
Explain urban ecology and the challenges it pokes to solve
Discuss how excessive internet usage affects the human memory
Evaluate how conservation biology contributes to the extinction prevention efforts
Discuss the role of satellites and drones in understanding the natural world
Why do we need space travel and studies?
Explain the limitations of limnology studies
What are infectious-disease-causing agents all about?
Discuss what epigenetics studies encompass
Why is cancer research essential to the world?
Discuss climate change: Governments are not interested, and there is no alternative
How is behavioral science studies a core part of the understanding of the world?
Discuss the issues with genetic engineering and why it’s a challenge
Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses in the arguments for a plant-based diet
Create a survey amongst students of biology asking why they chose to study the course.

Biology Research Topics For College Students

If you find any of the above beyond your intellectual and Research capacity, here are some topics you can handle. You can use these for your essays, projects, quizzes, or competitions.

These custom yet popular biology research topics will examine famous personalities and other discourse in biology:

Effects of the human hormone on the mind
Why do men get erect even when they’re absentminded?
How does women’s arousal work?
How can melatonin be valuable for therapy?
Risky behavior: Hormones responsible for the risk
Stem and cloning: what is the latest research on the subject?
Hormones: changes in pregnancy
Why do pregnant women have an appetite for random and remote things?
The role of physical activities in hormone development
Examine the benefits and threats of transgenic crops
The fight against COVID-19: assess current successes
The fight against smallpox: assess current successes
The fight against HIV: history, trends, and present research
Discuss the future of prosthetic appliances
Examine the research and the future of mind-controlled limbs
What does cosmetic surgery mean, and why is it needed?
Analyze the meaning and process of vascular surgery
Discuss the debate around changes in genital organs for males and females in transgender bodies
How do donors and organ transplants work?
Account for the work of Dr. Malcom E Miller
Discuss the contribution of Charles Darwin to human evolution
Explain the trends in biomedicine
Discuss the functions of x-rays in botany
Assess the most efficient systems for wildlife preservation
Examine how poverty contributes to climate hazards
Discuss the process involved in plant metabolism
The transformation of energy into a living thing: discuss
Prevention for sexually transmitted disease: What are the misconceptions?
Analyze how the human body reacts to poison
Russian Poisoning: What are the lessons scientists must learn?
COVID-19: Discuss the efforts by two or three governments to prevent the spread
Discuss the contributions of Pfizer during the pandemic.

Marine Biology Research Topics

This subject explains orgasms in the sea, how they survive, and their interaction with their environment. If you have a flair for this field, the following Biology research topics may interest you:

Discuss what quantitative ecology through modeling means
Smallest diatoms and marine logistics: discuss
How is the shark studied?
Acidification of seas: Causes and consequences
Discuss the concept of the immortality of Jellyfishes
Discuss the differences between seawater and freshwater in marine study
Account for some of the oldest marine species
Discuss the evolution of the deep sea
Explain whales’ communication techniques
What does plankton ecology encompass?
The importance of coral reefs to seawater
Challenges that encompass geological oceanography
How tourism affects natural animal habitat
Discuss some instances of the domestication of wild marine animals
Coastal zone: pros and cons of living in such areas
How do sharks perceive enemies?
Analyze why some animals can live in water but can’t live on land
Explain how plants survive in the sea
Compare and contrast the different two species of animals in the water
How can marine energy be generated, stored, and used?

Molecular Biology Research Topics

Focusing on the construct of cells and analysis of their composition, it understands the alteration and maintenance of cellular processes. If you’d like to focus on molecular biology, here are 15 good biology research topics for you:

Ethical considerations in molecular genetics
Discuss the structure and component of the gene
Examine the restrictions in DNA
What are the peculiarities in modern nucleic acid analysis
What goes into the Pharmaceutical production of drugs
Evaluate the building blocks of life
Discuss the systems of RNA translation to protein
PCR: How DNA is tested and analyzed
Why is prion disease so dangerous?
Compare and contrast recessive genes vs. dominant genes
Can there be damage to the human DNA, and can it be repaired?
Constraints in the research of microarray data analysis
Protein purification: How it evolves
Objectives of nucleic acid
Explain the structure of a prion.

Biology Research Topics For High School

Your teachers and professors will be awed if you create impeccable essays for your next report. You need to secure the best grades as you move closer to graduation, and brainstorming any of these popular biology research topics will help:

Identify the most endangered species
The challenges to animal extinction
What are the things everyone should know about sea life?
Discuss the history of genetics
Explain the biological theory of Charles Darwin
How did the lockdown affect social interaction?
Why do some people refuse the vaccine?
Origin of genetics
What is animal hunting, and why is it fashionable
Explain the evolution of a virus
Role of lockdown in preventing deaths and illnesses
Invasive species: What does it mean?
Endangered animals: How do they survive in the face of their hazards?
Lockdown and their role in reducing coronavirus transmission
Vaccine distribution: Ideas for global distribution
Why can viruses become less virulent?
Discuss the evolution of the world
Explain the evolution of the planet
Explain what Elon Musk means when he says life on Mars is possible
What does herd immunity mean?
Flu: why is there a low incidence in 2020?
Relationship between archaeology and biology
Antiviral drug: What it means
Factors leading to the evolution of humans
Give instances of what natural selection means
What is considered the dead branches of evolution
Whale hunting: What it means and the present trends
Who is Stephen Jay, and what is his role in paleontology?
Origin of diseases: why must humans fall sick?
Why are humans called higher animals?

Human Biology Research Topics

Human biology understands humans and their relationship between themselves and their environment. It also studies how the body works and the impediments to health. Here are some easy biology research topics to explore on the subject:

How do gut bacteria affect the brain?
What are the ethical concerns around organ transplants?
The consequence of alcohol on the liver
The consequences of extreme salt on the human body
Why do humans need to deworm regularly?
The relationship between obesity and genetics
Genetically modified foods: Why are they needed?
How sun exposure affects human skin
Latest trends: Depression is hereditary
Influence of music on the human brain
What are the stages of lung cancer
Forensic DNA: latest trends
How visual consumptions affect how humans think
What is the process that leads to pregnancy?
Explain the role of nanotechnology in HIV research
Discuss any experiment with stem cells you know about
Explain how humans consume food
Discuss the process of metabolism as well as its criticality to human health
Explore the consistent challenges technology poses to human health
Explain the process of body decay to a skeleton.

Cell Biology Research Topics

There are many evolutionary biology research paper topics formed not by the nomenclature but for what they stand for. Cell biology is one of the most complex branches of the field.

It examines minor units and the living organisms that make them up. The focus is on the relationship between the cytoplasm, membrane, and parts of the cell. Here are some topics to explore for your scientific dissertation writing :

How does chromatin engage in the alterations of gene expression?
What are the usual cell infections, and why does the body have immunity defections?
Identify and account for the heritage of Robert Brown in his core career focus
Explain the structure of the animal cell and why It’s what it is
Identify the cells in the human body as well as their functions
Explain a scenario and justify the context of animals photosynthesizing like plants
Why do bacteria invade the body, and how do they do it?
Why are mitochondria considered the powerhouse of the cell
Use the molecular analysis tool to explain multicellular organisms
Examine how the White blood cells fight disease
What do you understand about the role of cell biology in the treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
What are the latest research methods in cell biology?
Identify the characteristics of viruses and why they threaten human existence.
Discuss the differences between DNA and RNA
What part of the body is responsible for human functionality for as long as the individual wants?

Get Biology Research Help As Soon As Possible

Creating the best essays or papers is easier now that you have custom biology research topics. However, you may still need support writing your paper beyond these topic ideas. After all, the first stage of writing like experts is brainstorming ideas and researching which is most feasible to write about.

If you truly want to wow your professor or teacher but can’t afford to dedicate all the required time, here’s an alternative. You can hire writing helpers online for quality papers at a cheap price, and we can help with that. We are a team of writers with many years of writing experience for students in Europe and North America. You can even buy thesis online with us, as well as editing services.

Each paper is assigned to writers with expertise in a specific field. This enables them to provide in-depth analysis as your assignment requires. We’re based online, which means you won’t have issues with accessibility and availability. Just tell us what you need, and we will get it done.

Ph.D. research topics in Zoology

June 19, 2023
by IdeaLaunch
Ph.D. Guidance , Ph.D. Research Proposal Topic , Research Projects

Ph.D. Thesis Research Topics in the Field of Zoology

Introduction :

Ph.D. Zoology is a three year doctorate program in Zoology Domain, It is the study of animals and their structural groups and the presence of science in the environment. There are various branches available in zoology such as Mammalogy, Primatology, Herpetology, Paleontology, and Ornithology.

Let’s see the meaning of each branch briefly:

Mammalogy : It is a study about mammals.
Primatology : It is a study about the apes apart from humans.
Herpetology : It is a study about reptiles or amphibians like snakes, frogs, crocodiles etc.
Paleontology : It is the study of dead animals.
Ornithology : It is a study of birds.

List of Research topics that comes under the Zoology syllabus:

Endocrinology
Wildlife biology
Molecular biology

Is there any scope to do a Ph.D. in Zoology?

Yes, you can work in many universities, government schools as a researcher and as a teacher. You can also work as a wildlife educator or animal forensic expert. There is a demand for this zoology graduation in both international and domestic markets, through internship, training, projects etc.

Why choose Zoology as a major Ph.D research topic ?

A Zoology graduate could work as a researcher, professor, animal caretaker, wildlife professions, etc. The jobs are available in both public and private sectors.

Understandable people can study biology, anatomy, physiology of many animals and how they interact with their environment. At the end of the results, we will be able to make good decisions and make solutions for current and future earth.

The outlook of this job and their occupations is improving. It’s important than to look after the animals and figure out how to best safeguard their habitats as the environment changes.

What does a zoologist exactly do?

A zoologist studies their physical characteristics, diets and the behaviour of the animals in this environment. They may specialize in studying a particular animal or animal group. Work of the zoologist is also crucial in protecting endangered species and other wildlife animals from habitat loss, diseases, exotic species and climate change.

Top areas of recruitment:

Wildlife sanctuaries, National park, Zoos, Botanical gardens, veterinary hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, museums, fisheries and aquaculture, research laboratories and animal clinics.

Ornithology:

The research topic of ornithology is a branch of zoology that studies the methodology and knowledge of birds and related to them.

Endocrinology:

The research topic of endocrinology is a field in biology, which studies the endocrine system. The organs that present in this system are Pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, ovaries, testes and pancreas.

Entomology :

The Research topic of entomology is to study about the insects and their bonding between humans and other organisms.

Immunology :

The Research topic of immunology is the study of the immune systems in the human body and it is the most significant topic in the branch of medical and biological science. This system is protected from infections through various aspects.

Fisheries and aquaculture:

This topic is to research about how to increase their harvesting of fish and other aquatic life. Aquaculture that involves brackish water, cultivating freshwater and saltwater populations.

Wildlife biology:

This research topic about wildlife biology is to study the roles of each animal and its habitat. The main role of a wildlife biologist is to make experiments or studies about the animals and their habitat.

If you are still not sure about how to start your research topic , then Idealaunch is the perfect place to get complete guidance for your research projects . Get a consultation from our experts. Call us at +91- 7904479887 / +91-7548889787 or Mail us at [email protected]

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Here's what 'Cicadageddon 2024' will sound like, and how long it will last: Graphics

For the first time since 1803, more than 1 trillion cicadas from two major broods will emerge from underground dormancy in mid-May and collectively create a loud, high-pitched buzz that will assault your ears for weeks.

The rare overlap in emergence – when cicadas arise from underground – is caused by two specific sets of cicadas. The largest, known as Brood XIX, appears every 13 years. Brood XIII emerges every 17 years.

The two broods have not emerged together since Thomas Jefferson was president 221 years ago. Their co-emergence won't happen again until 2245.

In the U.S., there are at least 15 separate cycles, or "broods," of periodic cicadas. They’re called periodic based on the number of years they spend underground.

Emergence times vary from 13 to 17 years. Some species show up every summer. Scientists say cicadas stay underground to avoid predators.

This year, Broods XIX and XIII will appear in 17 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Wisconsin and Virginia.

Take a peek at this year's red-eyed shrieking insects.

What do periodical cicadas look like?

Unlike the greenish annual cicadas, periodical cicadas are known for their black bodies, clear wings and bold red eyes. They breathe through 10 pairs of respiratory openings called spiracles: two on the thorax and eight on the abdomen. The antennae are short and bristly.

See cicada emergence map: 'Trillions' of cicadas? See how and where dual cicada broods will emerge in 2024

Unable to view our graphics? Click here to see them.

How do the cicadas make that distinctive noise?

Cicadas are among the world's loudest insects , some scientists say.

Male cicadas will occasionally synchronize their songs in a massive chorus, a loud deep humming in the trees, to draw the attention of females.

Male cicadas have two special vibrating membranes called tymbals that sit behind each wing, on either side of their abdomens.

Each small tymbal contains a series of ribs that bend and make a clicking sound when the male flexes its muscles. Cicadas repeat this movement on either side 300 to 400 times a second to create their unique sound.

Two eardrums are responsible for carrying sound from the cicada's abdomen to the outside.

By tightening the muscles surrounding its eardrum and extending its abdomen, the male cicada can alter the volume and pitch of its love song. The male's abdomen is almost hollow, which helps amplify its song.

Female cicadas don't have the organs to produce those buzzing songs. Instead, they respond with a quick flick of their wings, which makes a clicking sound.

What does a cicada sound like?

A single cicada can be loud. A full yard of the insects can be downright deafening. In 2021, I recorded the periodical cicadas in my front yard. And I can attest, they were noisy.

Each species has its own sound, and the chorus can reach 90 to 100 decibels – as loud as a lawn mower, CicadaMania says.

How to protect trees: The 2024 cicada invasion: How to save your trees and shrubs from damage

When will the cicadas come out?

Both huge broods will emerge from mid-May to late June, depending on location and weather.

If the weather is consistently warm and dry, the cicadas will finish mating sooner rather than later, which would mean a shorter season. Typically, their life span is four to six weeks, and they will start to die off in late June.

The timing of a 13- or 17-year cycle is one of the great mysteries of the insect world, according to Virginia Tech. Research and mathematical modeling suggest that the length of these brood cycles could be attributed to predatory avoidance.

Read more: This fungus turns cicadas into 'zombies' after being sexually transmitted

Are cicadas and locust the same thing?

No, they are different species of insects. Locusts belong to the same family as grasshoppers and are far more destructive because they feed on a variety of plant life. Large swarms of locusts can cause severe damage to croplands.

Cicadas don't cause the same level of destruction as locusts. Although large swarms of cicadas can damage young trees as the insects lay their eggs in branches, larger trees can usually withstand the cicadas.

SOURCE University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, University of Illinois, Entomological Society of America, National Audubon Society, NoisyPlanet , U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and USA TODAY research

CONTRIBUTING George Petras and Doyle Rice

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