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A specimen of ‘blue dragon’, common name of mollusk Glaucus atlanticushas been recently sighted in Open Waters of Mallorca, specifically In the area of ​​La Serra de Tramuntana. This fact has surprised the scientific community, since there were no records of its presence in the Balearic Islands since 1705.

As reported in the last minute, the person who discovered this rare organism was the Marine Biologist Gádor Muntaner, who was sailing in the company of the professional pilot of Paramotor César Canudas. While the boat was followed by a group of dolphins, Muntaner spotted the small animal floating on the surface of the sea. “We were with dolphins that have begun to follow the boat and when I look at the water I have seen it and hit a cry,” said the scientist.

The blue dragon is a pelagic nudibranch that generally lives in the Atlantic Ocean and in the waters surrounding the Canary Islands. However, Muntaner qualifies it as “A very rare organism”In the Mediterranean Sea. Although in 2023 a copy was recorded in Alicante, the discovery in the Balearic Islands is the first documented in more than three centuries.

Is it dangerous?

With a length of between 3 and 4 centimeters, this mollusk stands out for its metallic blue color and its ability to stay afloat in an open sea. He does not live in the background or on the coastbut suspended in the water column. Muntaner explained: “He Glaucus atlanticus It is a mollusk, a gastropod nudibranchio. In the Atlantic and in the Canary Islands it is quite common, but in the Mediterranean Sea there are very few records. ”

Although the blue dragon is not naturally poisonous, it presents a notable defensive characteristic: it feeds on urticating jellyfish such as the Portuguese caravel and the Velella velelladangerous species for humans. When consuming them, The mollusk accumulates its toxinsso it can cause irritations on contact with the skin.

This summer, the Velella velella has been seen in large numbers on the beaches of the Pitiusas, dyeing of blue sections of the coast. This phenomenon could have facilitated the appearance of its natural predator. After analyzing the specimen, the biologist returned it to the sea, demonstrating its commitment to the conservation of marine fauna.