
Shell morphology
Shell morphology refers to the study of the shape, structure, and form of shells, which are hard external coverings of certain animals like mollusks. It includes examining features such as shell size, overall shape (e.g., spiral, conical, or oval), surface texture, and the presence of ridges or patterns. These characteristics help identify and classify different species, understand their evolutionary adaptations, and analyze how shells grow and develop. Essentially, shell morphology provides insights into an organism's biology and environment through the physical characteristics of its shell.