Polymita is a genus of large, air-breathing land snails in the family Cepolidae.

These snails are endemic to Cuba. Their shells are prized by collectors, and in recent years, there have been efforts to protect local populations from overcollection.

Anatomy

Polymita creates and uses love darts as part of its mating behavior.

Species

There are six recognized species within the genus Polymita:

• Polymita muscarum (Lea, 1834)

• Polymita picta (Born, 1778) – type species

• Polymita sulphurosa (Morelet, 1849)

• †Polymita texana B. Roth, 1984

• Polymita venusta (Gmelin, 1786)

• Polymita versicolor (Born, 1778)

One species has an uncertain status:

• Polymita brocheri (Gutiérrez in Pfeiffer, 1864)

References

External links

• González Guillén A. (2014). "Polymita, the most beautiful land snail of the world". Carlos M. Estevez & Associates, Miami, 359 pp., .