Otala

Otala is a genus of land snails in the family Helicidae.[1]

Otala
Otala punctata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Mollusca
Class:
Gastropoda
Family:
Helicidae
Genus:
Otala

Schumacher, 1817

Archaeological evidence in Morocco indicates the exploitation of O. lactea by ancient Romans as a food source.[2]

Distribution

This genus of snail is native to northwestern Africa and southwestern Europe.

Anatomy

These snails create and shoot love darts as part of their courtship and mating behavior.

Species

Species within the genus Otala include:[3]

References
  1. Taxonomy of the Genus Otala (2008). Uniprot.
  2. Hogan, C. M. Volubilis. In: Burnham, A. (ed.) The Megalithic Portal. 2007.
  3. Genus summary for Otala. AnimalBase, accessed 7 August 2009.


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