1. scientists who study mollusks (such as snails, clams, and octopuses)
Usage: scientific; plural form

Examples

• The malacologists discovered a new species of sea snail in the deep ocean.
• Marine malacologists often work with museums to catalog shell collections.
• The conference brought together malacologists from universities around the world.
• These malacologists specialize in studying freshwater mussels.
• The team of malacologists published their findings on cephalopod behavior.
• Local malacologists helped identify the invasive snail species in the lake.