"study of extinct or fossil animals," 1845, from paleo- + zoology.
Entries linking to paleozoology
paleo-
before vowels pale- word-forming element used in scientific combinations (mostly since c. 1870) meaning "ancient, early, prehistoric, primitive, fossil," from Latinized form of Greek palaios "old, ancient," from palai "long ago, far back" (from PIE root *kwel- (2) "far" in space or time).
zoology n.
"science of animals," 1660s, from Modern Latin zoologia, from Greek zoion "animal" (from PIE root *gwei- "to live") + -logia "study" (see -logy).