Applications of novel optical imaging methods in the study of marine mollusks: A review

Optical imaging has been pivotal in biological research (e.g., cellular/developmental biology) for over two centuries. Recent advances like super-resolution fluorescence and nonlinear optical microscopy enable nanoscale studies of live cells and animals, yet their application to marine mollusks — key marine ecosystem species, remains underexplored. This review summarizes optical imaging techniques and their use in investigating marine mollusks across molecular, cellular, tissue, and individual levels. It highlights promising avenues for novel imaging methods to unravel the structures and functions of these organisms in future research, with a focus on advancements in applying cutting-edge optical techniques across these hierarchical levels. Given optical imaging’s significance in elucidating marine mollusks’ ecological and genetic information, this field deserves substantial attention and support. The review aims to address existing gaps, providing researchers and practitioners with comprehensive insights to foster further progress in this domain.