I'm researching the Glaucus atlanticus, also known as the blue glaucus, among various other names, but after reading quite a few articles and searching on the Internet as many different ways as I can think of, I can't find any of its predators, or any indication it has no natural predators. Everything I've read is just silent on the issue. Does anyone know what, if any, predators this has? Thanks!
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$\begingroup$ While I don't really know anything about that animal, it doesn't really need a specific predator (to keep its population in check) if it has to compete with other organisms for the same food source(s). $\endgroup$– NicolaiApr 10, 2019 at 7:24
1 Answer
Try out using Google Scholar to take a more scientific literature-based approach to your search.
Frick et al. (2009)1 found that about 42% of logerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) stomachs contained remnants of G. atlanticus.
We were able to identify G. atlanticus in the diet of loggerheads because whole or nearly intact specimens were present.
Loggerhead turtle mouth and throat with sharp papillae. Source NCSU CMAST (Photo by Craig Harms)
Bieri (1966)2 observed G. atlanticus frequently attacking one another and biting off pieces of each other. In one case, one individual ate all but the head and trunk of a smaller specimen.
Citations:
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$\begingroup$ Good answer (+1), however I fail to see the function of the somewhat gross picture of the loggerhead. Note2self: stay well away from the beak of loggerheads... $\endgroup$– RHAApr 16, 2019 at 21:04
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$\begingroup$ RHA just for the FYI nature is cool factor. $\endgroup$ Apr 17, 2019 at 1:06