MORE INFO ON BRYOZOA

The organism referred to a a Bryozoan is neither a plant nor a sponge. It belongs to a relatively simple phylum of animals known as Ectoprocta, once known as, and still sometimes called Bryozoa. They are colonial organisms made up from large numbers of small, usually .5mm or less, individual animals. The organism found in the lake appears to a species called Pectinatella magnifica. It can be a large, half a meter in diameter, organism composed of a mass of gel substance covered with many thousands of the zooids, or individual animals. They use a tiny fan structure to collect and feed upon single cell plants and animals and bacteria. They are found in clean waters and are not harmful or dangerous. I can remember identifying them back in the 1970's both in north pond and south pond shallow, weedy waters of Webster Lake and the French River. They are not new, only uncommon in the lake. If increasing numbers are now seen, it may be a function of increasing turbidity, Pectinella favors lower light conditions and unpolluted waters. I see them occasionally while kayaking the French river, usually in shaded, shallow waters attached to branches. They certainly are unusual looking critters.I have seen and identified a similar Ectoproctan called Cristatella in the crystal clear waters of Mine brook while doing nutrient monitoring with the French River Connection a few years ago. It looks like a thick flat 3 inch worm made of transparent jello. Again, its a harmless animal found in clean waters.

The attached website from UMass may be helpful.http://www.bio.umass.edu/biology/conn.river/bryozoa.html

Tom Ryzewski