History of Zoology
Since ancient time, man used the animal in various ways. It is evident by the animal figures engraved on the walls of the caves (mural painting) and on the earthen pots.
Legendary hindu scriptures such as Ved (2500 BC), Ramayana (1900 BC), Mahabharata (1400 BC). Upanishads etc. also reveal detailed account of the animals. For example, an account of animals like Golden deer. Jatayu (Vulture). Wanner (Monkeys), Bhalu (Bear) is found in Ramayana. Similarly, illustration of animals was made as vehicles of hindu God and Godesss such as Rat for Lord Ganesha; Lion for Maa Kali (power); Peacock for Lord kartikay; Bull and Snake round the neck of Lord Shiva, Garud (Bird) for Lord Vishnu. Moreover, the illustration of cows along with Lord Krishna shows the importance & knowledge of the animals.
In the ancient Chikitsagranth & Ayurveda , the organisms were classified into four groups on the basis of their origin viz. – origin from uterus, origin from eggs, origin from heat & moisture and origin from seeds.
Ancient Indian healer & surgeon Sushruta (sixth century before BC) wrote an Ayurveda text “Sushrut Samhita “ mentioning 700 medicinal plants, 57 procedures based on animal sources & 64 mineral based sources.
In Ramayana Susen Vaidva treated Laxman using the medicinal plant called “Sanjivani”
Many philosophers of ancient Greek informed about animals but the first article on the animals was found in a “Greek Chikitsa Granth” of 51,1 century’ in which animal were classified on the basis of their use.
Hippocrates (460-370 BC) wrote the first article on human diseases. He is called as Father of Medical Science. Aristotle (384 – 322BC) wrote a book “Historia Animalia” in which structure, habit., classification reproduction etc of 500 animals were described. Aristotle was first to studied embry onic development in the eggs of hen. Aristotle is called as Father of Zoology and Father of Embrylogy.
Galen (130 to 200 BC) was first to made experimental study on the physiology of the visceral organs of animals. He is called as father of experimental physiology. After this no growth of science took place for about 1000 years. This period is called as dark period of science. Alberts Magnus (1200 to 1280) wrote a book entitled “on the structure of human body” in 1543. He is called as Father of modern anatomy
Willian Harvey (1578 to 1655) studied blood v ascular system. Z. Janssen (1540) was first to made light compound microscope. M. Malpighi (1628 to 1994) made microscopic studies on blood & tissues. He studied chick embryology and discovered malpighian capsule in the kidney s of vertebrates. He is called as Father of microscopical anatomy
John Ray (1627 – 1705) classified insects, reptiles & quadrupedals (cattles). He propounded “Biological concept of species”
Antony Van Leeuwenhoek (1632 – 1723) Studies sperms, blood corpuscles, muscles, protozoans etc. He is called as Father of Microbiology
Leonardo da Vinci (1690) studied the fossils and he is called as Father of paleontology.
Cuvier (1769 – 1832) established comparative anatomy and paleontology.
Lamarck (1744 – 1829) studied “inheritance of acquired characters” concern to evolution. He wrote a book entitled Philosophic Zoologique in 1809.
Von Baer (1792 to 1876) studied comparative embryology. He is called as Father of modern embryology.
Charls Darwin (1809 – 1882) formulated “Theory of Natural Selection” concern to evolution. He wrote a book entitled “Origin of Species” which became more popular than holly text “Bible”
Gregor John Mendel (1822-1884) was first to study hereditary characters, and his work is popular as Mendelism. He is called as Father of Genetics
Hugo De Vries (1902) propounded mutation theory to explain evolution.
T.H.Morgen (1933) established Chromosome theory of Heredity. He showed that genes are linked in a series on the chromosomes and are hereditary traits. For this work he was awarded Nobel Prize.
A.I.Oparin (1957-1968) propounded experimental theory pertaining to origin of life on the earth.
Dr. Hargovind Khorana was a scientist of Indian origin. In 1968, he synthesized the gene artificially & he was awarded Noble prize.
Stanley Cohen & Herbert Boyer (1973) discovered recombination DNA technology. He is called as Father of Biotechnology. Ian Wilmut (1996) was first scientist to make a clone of sheep.
