Glaucus atlanticus: Difference between revisions
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| subordo = [[Nudibranchia]] |
| subordo = [[Nudibranchia]] |
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| superfamilia = [[Aeolidioidea]] |
| superfamilia = [[Aeolidioidea]] |
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| familia = [[ |
| familia = [[Glaudidae]] |
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| genus = '''''Glaucus''''' |
| genus = '''''Glaucus''''' |
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| species = ''G. atlanticus'' |
| species = ''G. atlanticus'' |
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'''''Glaucus atlanticus''''', also known as the '''blue sea slug''', is a [[nudibranch]] of the [[family (biology)|family]] [[ |
'''''Glaucus atlanticus''''', also known as the '''blue sea slug''', is a [[nudibranch]] of the [[family (biology)|family]] [[Glaudidae]], the only member of the genus '''''Glaucus'''''. Its distribution is throughout the world's oceans in temperate and tropical waters. ''G. atlanticus'' preys on the Portuguese Man o' War, ''[[Physalia physalis]]'', ''[[Velella velella]]'', the Blue Button, ''[[Porpita porpita]]'', and the violet snail, ''[[Janthina janthina]]''. |
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With the aid of a gas-filled sac that is located in its stomach, ''G. atlanticus'' is able to stay afloat at the surface. Due to the location of the gas sac the blue sea slug actually floats upside down. The [[dorsum (biology)|dorsal]] surface, actually the foot and underside, is either a blue or blue-white coloration. The true dorsal surface is completely silver-grey. This coloration helps protect ''G. atlanticus'' from predators from both below and above. |
With the aid of a gas-filled sac that is located in its stomach, ''G. atlanticus'' is able to stay afloat at the surface. Due to the location of the gas sac the blue sea slug actually floats upside down. The [[dorsum (biology)|dorsal]] surface, actually the foot and underside, is either a blue or blue-white coloration. The true dorsal surface is completely silver-grey. This coloration helps protect ''G. atlanticus'' from predators from both below and above. |
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Revision as of 12:19, 28 December 2006
| Glaucus atlanticus | |
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| Scientific classification | |
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| Genus: | Glaucus
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| Species: | G. atlanticus
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| Binomial name | |
| Glaucus atlanticus Forster, 1777
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Glaucus atlanticus, also known as the blue sea slug, is a nudibranch of the family Glaudidae, the only member of the genus Glaucus. Its distribution is throughout the world's oceans in temperate and tropical waters. G. atlanticus preys on the Portuguese Man o' War, Physalia physalis, Velella velella, the Blue Button, Porpita porpita, and the violet snail, Janthina janthina.
With the aid of a gas-filled sac that is located in its stomach, G. atlanticus is able to stay afloat at the surface. Due to the location of the gas sac the blue sea slug actually floats upside down. The dorsal surface, actually the foot and underside, is either a blue or blue-white coloration. The true dorsal surface is completely silver-grey. This coloration helps protect G. atlanticus from predators from both below and above.
G. atlanticus is able to feed on P. physalis due to its immunity to the venomous nematocysts. The blue sea slug will consume the entire organism. After consumption it will select the most venomous nematocysts and use them as a defense.
References
- Sea Slug Forum
- Wikispecies
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