family Littorinidae

9.9

A group of small sea snails like periwinkles that live on rocky seashores

noun
/ˈfæmɪli ˌlɪtəˈrɪneɪdi/

Specialized

: familia Littorinidae

The family Littorinidae includes many species commonly found on rocky shorelines around the world.

Examples

Scientists have extensively studied members of the family Littorinidae for their adaptations to intertidal environments.
Shells from the family Littorinidae are often collected for research in marine biology.
The family Littorinidae includes various species of periwinkles.
Many members of the family Littorinidae thrive in rocky coastal areas.
Scientists have extensively studied members of the family Littorinidae for their adaptations to intertidal environments.
Shells from the family Littorinidae are often collected for research in marine biology.
Many members of the family Littorinidae thrive in rocky coastal areas.

Synonyms

Littorinidae

vsfamily Littorinidae

Specialized

9.9

Group of small marine snails like periwinkles that live on rocky shores worldwide

is broader, covering coastal environments not only rocky shores

Surface Forms

family Littorinidae singular

families Littorinidae plural

Morphology

family + Littorinidae

This is a straightforward taxonomic composition: 'family' (a grouping) combined with the taxon name 'Littorinidae' yields the family of those snails. The meaning is directly derivable from the constituents and follows a standard, cross-linguistic scientific naming pattern, so a learner who knows both words will understand it.

Etymology

Family Littorinidae comes from an old Latin word for the 'shore' because these small snails called periwinkles live on rocks at the sea edge. So the name simply means a 'family of shore snails' today.