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!”
Kevin Costner, 67, has found love again after a difficult divorce – and you might know her.
Months after his heartbreaking divorce from longtime wife Christine Baumgartner, it appears that Kevin Costner has maybe found love again.
According to rumors, the Yellowstone actor is dating singer Jewel; the two were recently photographed together at a tennis fundraiser for the Inspiring Children Foundation on Richard Branson’s Necker Island.
According to TMZ, the couple flew to the Caribbean together and spent almost a week in each other’s company. This, of course, follows the upheaval caused by Costner’s post-relationship legal fight with the aforementioned Baumgartner.
According to sources, Costner was taken aback by his wife’s choice to file for divorce in May of this year. From there, the tragic situation started to fall lower.
Christine filed for divorce in early May, alleging “irreconcilable differences.” They’d been married for 18 years.
“It is with great sadness that circumstances beyond Mr. Costner’s control have resulted in Mr. Costner having to participate in a dissolution of marriage action,” a spokeswoman for Costner said in a statement.
“We ask that his, Christine’s and their children’s privacy be respected as they navigate this difficult time.”
Baumgartner and Costner married in 2004. Cayden, 15, and Hayes, 14, are the couple’s boys, while Grace, 12, is their daughter.
Following Baumgartner’s lawsuit, she and Costner had a nasty dispute, with the former being kicked out of the family home – as per a prenuptial agreement – and the latter compelled to pay $63,209 per month in child support.
Despite the fact that Costner’s journey has clearly been a dark one, filled with grief, uncertainty, and a lot of stress he could have done without, it appears there is light at the end of the tunnel.
According to TMZ, Costner is in a relationship with US singer Jewel. As previously stated, the couple went to the Caribbean together, and one insider stated, “There was definitely something going on.” They were flirtatious, and when they were together, they both seemed to light up.”
Not only that, but Jewel made a social media note of Costner. “It’s an incredible time, and one I use to relax, rest, and play with my son!” she remarked of the tennis fundraiser hosted on Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands. This year, @kevincostnermodernwest was gracious enough to mentor our youngsters.”
According to TMZ, Costner and Jewel traveled back together. According to a source, Jewel is “picky,” and “she wants a good man, and Kevin fits the bill.”
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