In March of this year, while boating on Lake McGee in Oklahoma, someone stumbled upon a series of sticky brown spherical objects dangling from underwater branches.
Image Source: Internet
Image Source: Facebook
If you were to pull it out along with the branches, you'd notice its texture is quite similar to that of a toad, as if a bag of milk tea pearls were stacked inside, heavy and dense.
Source: nyp
After seeing this photo, netizens expressed that it either looks like something left behind by an alien invasion or Godzilla's egg. Either way, nobody would want to touch it. Just the thought of coming into contact with such an unpleasant-looking unidentified organism makes one feel nauseous.
Coincidentally, last year in Quzhou, Zhejiang Province, someone found several brown, semi-transparent gelatinous objects in their own pond, covered with "patterns" on the surface and emitting a strong foul odor.
Image Source: Sohu
After weighing one of them, it was found to be about six to seven catties (approximately 3-3.5 kilograms) in weight, making it seem like the "God of Wealth." However, why does it look a bit like osmanthus cake?
Image source: sohu
So what exactly is this strange creature? Later, the staff at the aquatic station conducted on-site observations and comparisons, and soon came up with the answer: this is a moss animal.
Image Source: sohu
Bryozoans, also known as the Phylum Bryozoa, are an ancient group of organisms with a history dating back to the Cambrian period, approximately 530 million years ago. That makes them even older than dinosaurs.
Bryozoans are not single organisms but rather colonial animals made up of thousands of tiny individuals.
Moss animals individual. Image source: sciencedirect
These individuals, called "zooids," are closely connected, together forming the gelatinous structure we see.
In the moss animal colony in Lake Uroga, the size and shape of these creatures vary greatly, ranging from a few millimeters to several centimeters. They can be flat, spherical, or branched like tree limbs. Their color is typically transparent or slightly greenish-yellow, allowing them to blend almost perfectly into their underwater environment.
Each individual lives within a tiny "chamber" made of gelatinous material, with these chambers tightly interconnected to form the structure of the whole colony. Moss animals feed using tentacle-like structures that extend outside their chambers to capture prey, then retract to obtain nutrients.
Close-up of a moss animalcule. Image source: lifeinfreshwater
Moss animalcules primarily rely on filtering tiny organisms and organic matter from water for sustenance. They are excellent filter feeders, playing a crucial role in maintaining water quality cleanliness.
A recent study has found that the filtering capacity of moss animalcules plays a vital role in the health of aquatic ecosystems. Published in the journal Advances in Aquatic Ecology, the research team conducted long-term observations of several freshwater lakes and discovered that moss animalcule populations effectively reduce the concentration of suspended particles in the water, increase water clarity, promote underwater photosynthesis, thus sustaining the growth of aquatic plants and the balance of aquatic ecosystems.
Moss animals, individual. Image source: sciencedirect
According to the study, moss animals can filter water equivalent to hundreds of times their volume each day, overturning traditional perceptions of their ecological role. The research indicates that through their efficient filtration systems, moss animals not only capture food but also remove harmful microorganisms and pollutants from the water, which is crucial for maintaining the health of aquatic ecosystems.
In other words, if you spot these "Godzilla eggs" in a body of water, it indicates that the water quality there is unpolluted.
Moss animals typically attach to rocks, wood, or other hard surfaces, sometimes also clinging to aquatic plants. They thrive in clear, flowing waters because such environments facilitate their food capture.
Moss mite attached to a twig. Image source: Internet
Moss mites reproduce in various ways, including both asexual and sexual reproduction. Asexual reproduction occurs through branching or splitting, enabling rapid population growth. Sexual reproduction involves the production of eggs and sperm, which occurs under specific seasonal and environmental conditions.
The Development Process of Moss Animals
Not only do they reproduce in various ways, but their genes also demonstrate remarkable adaptability to the environment.
In a paper published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, scientists conducted a thorough analysis of the genome of moss animals and discovered a complex set of genetic codes that enable them to adapt to changing environmental conditions. The study also points out that moss animals can survive in low oxygen or even anoxic conditions, thanks to their unique energy metabolism pathways.
Due to their strong survival abilities, moss animals are widely distributed, inhabiting freshwater and marine environments almost globally. They can adapt to various environments, from stagnant lakes to flowing rivers, and even saline environments.
Image Source: Nome Buckman
So, can moss piglets be eaten?
While moss piglets may contain some protein and other nutrients, there is no specific research indicating significant nutritional value beneficial to humans.
And just by looks alone, nobody would want to eat them anyway, eating everything is only going to harm you!
References
[1] Cook P L. Colony-wide water currents in living Bryozoa. Cahiers de Biologie Marine, 1977, 18: 31-47.
[2] Riisg?rd H U, Manríquez P. Filter-feeding in fifteen marine ectoprocts (Bryozoa): particle capture and water pumping. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 1997, 154: 223-239.
[3] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0075951109000188
Planning and Production
Source | Bringing Science Home (ID: steamforkids)
Editor | He Tong
Proofreading | Xu Lai, Lin Lin
