palaeobiology

Noun

 * 1) The scientific study of prehistoric life, especially of those aspects pertaining to living systems.

Usage notes
The term palaeobiology is more restrictive than palaeontology, which deals with all issues pertaining to the study of ancient life, including geologic processes that lead to the preservation of fossils and their interpretation. Palaeobiology does not concern itself with these geologic aspects, but only with the biology of once living organisms.