- A large gelatinous blob, identified as Pectinatella magnifica or magnificent bryozoan, was recently spotted in Lake Huron, Michigan.
- Despite its unusual appearance, resembling a 'mutant brain' or 'cursed gummy bear', wildlife officials confirm it is harmless.
- The magnificent bryozoan is an invertebrate colony composed of thousands of tiny filter-feeding organisms called zooids.
- These ancient creatures, which have existed for at least 480 million years, play a vital role in freshwater ecosystems by capturing plankton and cleaning the water.
- Individual zooids are small, but they form large, squishy colonies where each organism contributes to the collective benefit, and broken-off pieces can form new colonies.
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