Janthina

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A marine gastropod noted for its capability to float on the water's surface alongside its eye-catching shell designs that inhabit oceanic regions
2. This unique mollusk is distinguished by its floating nature and colorful shell patterns, primarily residing in marine waters
3. A type of marine mollusk recognized for its ability to float on the surface of the ocean while displaying vibrant and intricate shell patterns

Etymology: Janthina is a genus of floating sea snails whose name comes from the Latin "ianthinus", meaning "violet". The colour is the giveaway: these snails secrete a raft of bubbles to keep themselves afloat at the ocean surface, and their shells and bodies carry a deep violet-blue tint, so the name describes what a naturalist would see drifting on the water. The Latin adjective itself derives from Greek "ianthinos", a word built on "ion", the violet flower, and the same root that gives "ion" its meaning in chemistry is unrelated to it, so the link to flowers runs through the colour. Modern scientific naming borrowed the Latin form wholesale, so the genus name keeps the classical spelling "ianthina" as its standard form, while "janthina" is an alternative spelling in use.