Definition

Noun (Biology/Taxonomy): 1. A taxonomic genus within the family Littorinidae: Genus Littorina is the type genus for the family of marine gastropod mollusks known as Littorinidae. It comprises a group of small to medium-sized sea snails commonly called periwinkles.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The biologist classified the specimen under the genus Littorina.
  • A key characteristic of genus Littorina is its robust, often turbinate shell.
  • Several species within genus Littorina are common inhabitants of the intertidal zone.

Advanced Usage

• In scientific nomenclature: The name is always italicized () when referring to the genus in formal biological or taxonomic writing. The term "genus Littorina" (not italicized) is used in more general descriptive text.
  • The study focused on the evolutionary history of Littorina species along the North Atlantic coast.

Variants and Related Words

• Littorinidae (n): The family name to which this genus belongs.
• Littorina (n): The abbreviated, italicized form used in binomial nomenclature (e.g., ).
• periwinkle (n): The common name for snails in this genus and related genera.

Synonyms

• Periwinkle genus (common, non-scientific)

Notes on Meaning

This term has a single, specific meaning in the field of biological taxonomy. It does not have idioms or phrasal verbs associated with it, as it is a proper scientific name.

Noun

1. type genus of the family Littorinidae: periwinkles