Otala

Otala is a genus of land snails in the subfamily Helicinae of the family Helicidae. Archaeological evidence in Morocco indicates the exploitation of O. lactea by ancient Romans as a food source. This genus of snail is native to northwestern Africa and southwestern Europe. These snails create and shoot love darts as part of their courtship and mating behavior. Species within the genus Otala include: † Otala desoudiniana (Crosse, 1862) Otala hieroglyphicula (Michaud, 1833) † Otala jobaeana (Crosse, 1861) Otala juilleti (Terver, 1839) Otala lactea (Müller, 1774) Otala occulta D. Holyoak, G. Holyoak, Gómez Moliner & Chueca, 2020 Otala orientalis (Pallary, 1918) Otala pallaryi (Kobelt, 1909) Otala punctata (Müller, 1774) Otala ramosi (Ahuir & Liñán, 2021) Otala tingitana (Paladilhe, 1875) Otala xanthodon (Anton, 1838) Species brought into synonymy Otala (Otala) alicantensis Truc, 1971 †: synonym of Schlickumia alicantensis (Truc, 1971) † Otala (Otala) bottini (Sacco, 1884) †: synonym of Schlickumia bottinii (Sacco, 1884) † (incorrect subsequent spelling; new combination) Otala canariensis Mousson, 1872: synonym of Otala lactea (Müller, 1774) Otala jacquemetana Mabille, 1883: synonym of Otala lactea (Müller, 1774) Otala vermiculata (O. F. Müller, 1774): synonym of Eobania vermiculata (O. F.