The Malacology Department at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County promotes the scientific study, conservation, and aquisition of Recent molluscan species including gastropods (marine, freshwater, terrestrial snails and slugs), bivalves (marine and freshwater clams), cephalopods (octopus, squid, nautilus), chitons, scaphopods (tusk shells), Aplacophora (worm-like mollusks), and Monoplacophora (basal limpet-like snails).