Residents of Oklahoma found a mysterious hard sac-like ‘egg’ hanging from the tree roots at the lake, but scientists are now calming the locals, who immediately jumped to conclusions of alien proportions, by explaining that it’s an ancient creature
These creatures have found the right space and environment, so its likely they’ll be around a lot this summer.
Locals in Oklahoma discovered large, jelly-like sacs with a hard exterior hanging from tree roots; they immediately thought the answer was extraterrestrial. Or at least not good news.
But scientists, reassuring the public, have said that the locals in the area got a rare treat – the glimpse of the reproductive system of an ancient animal that’s been around since before the dinosaurs.
Immediately, locals put it up online, and spectators began commenting on the extraterrestrial-looking eggs. But scientists say that the creatures were simple bryozoans. They’ve been around for hundreds of millions of years, before the first dinosaurs roamed the planet. The animals may actually be good news for the lake.
These bizarre creatures are actually hundreds of tiny bryozoans.
Officials reassured the public that the animals are absolutely supposed to be there
Bryozoans clone themselves into large masses to filter tiny particles out of the water for food, cleaning up the lake. The critters normally reside in ponds and lakes. This time, it was found in McGee Creek Reservoir, located on the southwest edge of the Ouachita Mountain Range.
Bryozoan clumps aren’t an egg or just one animal at all. They form this hard shell as they are hundreds of creatures banded together. The pods, known as zooids, are each a fraction of a millimeter long. They lack any respiratory or circulatory systems, but their central nerve ganglion allows the animal to respond to stimuli.
These pods are hanging from tree roots, and actually help clean the lake
The tiny invertebrates possess both male and female reproductive organs, allowing them to self-clone and spread through clumps of cells on the organism known as statoblasts.
Each statoblast can reproduce asexually. They do this by breaking off from a colony, allowing the animal to reproduce rapidly if the space and the weather are suitable. The animals eat phytoplankton and bacteria lurking in water.
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Fossil records suggest they may have evolved from an ancient marine worm. Their grandparents, ancient bryozoans, date back as far as 470 million years. For perspective, dinosaurs came around 245 million years ago.
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) shared the photos on social media. “What is that??? If you’re out boating somewhere like McGee Creek Reservoir you may notice these strange jelly-like balls hanging from submerged tree limbs,” begins the post.
“These are Bryozoans, and they’ll likely show up in large numbers this summer. Don’t be alarmed these microorganisms are native and are of no danger to you or wildlife. In fact, they are an indicator of good environmental quality and clear water!”
Skiing Sensation Matilde Lorenzi’s Shocking Loses Her Life at 19
Italian skier Matilde Lorenzi tragically lost her life in a skiing accident. She was training on the Grawand G1 slope in Val Senes when she fell.
The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) expressed their sadness on Instagram over the tragic passing of Italian skier Matilde Lorenzi, who was only 19.
They posted a touching black-and-white photo of Lorenzi, sharing that the news was first confirmed by the Italian Ministry of Defense.
In their statement, FIS said they stand with FISI President Flavio Roda and the entire Italian winter sports community, including coaches, athletes, teammates, and staff, as they mourn Lorenzi’s loss.
At the end, the federation shared their deep sadness, mourning alongside Lorenzi’s family and friends. Joining them, the Ministry of Defense and its Minister Guido Crosetto posted a message in Italian, honoring the young Army athlete and offering support to Lorenzi’s family.
The Italian Winter Sports Federation (FISI) also posted a statement on their website, including details of her funeral. They announced that it would be held on Thursday, October 31, at 10 AM in Giaveno at San Lorenzo parish.
Lorenzi’s family asked for donations instead of flowers to support the “Project in Memory of Matildina.
The Italian Army’s sports branch, Centro Sportivo Esercito, honored Lorenzi on Instagram. Their heartfelt caption, translated from Italian, read, “Too soon!! This is the only thought in our hearts during this time of sorrow.
They continued, “We stand with your family and Lucrezia, comforted that you were doing what you loved. Take a few more turns for us and watch over those who loved you.”
Lorenzi’s boyfriend, Federico Tomasoni, has also been sharing memories of her on Instagram. In one post, he wrote, “You are the most beautiful thing that life could ever give me.
I love you, little star ,” along with a close-up of their hands as he held hers.
Another memory showed Lorenzi by the beach, replying “Ciao” to Tomasoni’s greeting.
Before her passing, Lorenzi’s last Instagram post featured photos of a sunset in Ibiza. Among these images was one of her with Tomasoni, her arms around him, with a caption that read, “chasing sunsets in ibiza [sic].”
We offer our deepest condolences to Lorenzi’s family, boyfriend, friends, colleagues, and loved ones as they cope with this immense loss.
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