pectinatella

The creatures are called pectinatella magnifica, says John Cooper of the Ministry of Natural Resources, who adds that even though they might resemble jellyfish, they will not sting you.

Mystery Blobs in River Called a Good Sign | Impact Lab 2007

John Janssen, a senior scientist at the Great Lakes Water Institute in Milwaukee, Wisc., said pectinatella magnifica are bryozoa, which translates into "moss animal."

Mystery Blobs in River Called a Good Sign | Impact Lab 2007

The massive colonies of pectinatella magnifica could also be abundant in one spot one year and scarce the next, he said.

Mystery Blobs in River Called a Good Sign | Impact Lab 2007

Byron Backus, a biologist in Washington, D.C., who has studied pectinatella magnifica, says the colonies could have been there unnoticed all along.

Mystery Blobs in River Called a Good Sign | Impact Lab 2007