A recent discovery in Lake Huron captured the attention of scientists and the public alike after wildlife officials came across what appeared to be a massive, gelatinous blob floating in the water. According to Yahoo News, the find was so bizarre in appearance that it was jokingly referred to as a “cursed gummy bear” by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in a social media post. But the truth behind the blob is far more fascinating—and far older—than anyone initially expected. Identified as Pectinatella magnifica, this creature belongs to a family of colonial animals called bryozoans, which have existed for over 500 million years.
What Are Bryozoans? A Closer Look at Nature’s Hidden Architects
Bryozoans, sometimes called “moss animals,” are aquatic invertebrates that typically live in colonies composed of thousands of tiny individuals known as zooids. These zooids are each less than 4 millimeters wide and work together to form a single functioning unit. The structure they create can be jelly-like or hard, depending on the species, and is often mistaken for other aquatic lifeforms—or even inanimate objects.
Each zooid feeds by filtering microscopic plankton from the water, making bryozoans important contributors to water purification. The species found in Lake Huron—Pectinatella magnifica—is native to freshwater environments and tends to form large, bulbous colonies that cling to submerged surfaces or float freely in the water.
“If you’ve ever found a floating, gelatinous blob while out kayaking and thought, ‘Who left that perfectly good gummy bear to rot in the lake,’ you’re not alone,” the USFWS wrote on Facebook and Instagram. This humorous description captures the surprise and intrigue these colonies often provoke in unsuspecting observers.
Meet Pectinatella Magnifica: The Magnificent Freshwater Blob
Pectinatella magnifica is one of the most visually unique freshwater bryozoans. Its colonies are gelatinous, often transparent or tan in color, and can grow larger than a foot in diameter. Though they may appear as a single living mass, these blobs are actually sophisticated, cooperative colonies of thousands of individuals functioning as a unit.
Each member of the colony has a crown of tiny tentacles used for feeding and respiration. They work in perfect coordination, circulating water and capturing food particles. Despite their alien appearance, they are harmless to humans and beneficial to the ecosystem.
“But guess what, that isn’t a gummy, a pile of frog eggs, a mutant brain, or a sci-fi nightmare,” the USFWS continued. “It is Pectinatella magnifica, aka the magnificent bryozoan.” With its odd appearance and fascinating biology, this freshwater species reveals how much complexity can lie hidden in plain sight.
Ecological Benefits of Bryozoan Colonies in Freshwater Systems
Beyond their intriguing appearance, bryozoans like Pectinatella magnifica serve important ecological functions. Acting as natural filters, these colonies help clean aquatic environments by removing excess plankton and organic matter from the water. In doing so, they contribute to the overall health of lakes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers.
The presence of bryozoans is often a good sign, indicating that the water is relatively clean and rich in microscopic life. Their colonies provide shelter for small aquatic creatures and form part of the food web in freshwater ecosystems.
“These ancient creatures breathe life into freshwater, capturing plankton and cleaning the water as they drift in slow-moving rivers and lakes,” the USFWS noted. “Some colonies grow over a foot wide, pulsing gently with the current, a secret world hidden in plain sight.” Despite being largely unnoticed, their work supports the biodiversity and balance of freshwater habitats across North America.
An Ancient Lineage Living Quietly Among Us
Bryozoans have an evolutionary history stretching back more than half a billion years. Fossil records show that they were already forming colonies during the Cambrian period, long before dinosaurs roamed the Earth. In prehistoric oceans, they built reef-like structures that rivaled those of corals.
Today, their marine cousins continue to play a role in ocean ecosystems, while freshwater species like Pectinatella magnifica quietly contribute to the function and stability of inland water bodies. Their cooperative behavior and self-organized structures are of great interest to scientists studying the evolution of multicellular life and social cooperation.
Despite their long history and ecological value, bryozoans are rarely recognized by the public. This makes moments like the Lake Huron discovery all the more valuable—not just for science, but for public awareness.
