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Post by Pat on Mar 1, 2014 20:50:04 GMT -5
jamesp has been educating us about fossilized and living bryozoans. I have been intrigued. While rummaging through a closet recently, I came across these. Bryozoans! In my closet! Label says Modern Bryozoans from Olympic Peninsula Washington, Deep Creek.Size all together would fit on a silver dollar. Looks like two types to me. Branches on the left, and the flower on the right. Here are two identical shots. Different lighting hoping to bring out more detail. Enjoy!  IMG_0628-bryozoans by Pat6489, on Flickr  IMG_0629-bryozoans by Pat6489, on Flickr
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Mar 2, 2014 6:48:14 GMT -5
Bryozoans are so diverse and peculiar Pat that it is difficult to understand them. From Wiki: Predators of marine bryozoans include nudibranchs (sea slugs), fish, sea urchins, pycnogonids, crustaceans, mites and starfish. Freshwater bryozoans are preyed on by snails, insects, and fish. In Thailand, many populations of one freshwater species have been wiped out by an introduced species of snail. Mineralized skeletons of bryozoans first appear in rocks from Early Ordovician period,[1] making it the last major phylum to appear in the fossil record. Some encrusting colonies may grow to over 50 centimeters (1.6 ft) and contain about 2,000,000 zooids.[6] These species generally have exoskeletons reinforced with calcium carbonate, Some freshwater species secrete a mass of gelatinous material, up to 1 meter (3.3 ft) in diameter, to which the zooids stick. Other freshwater species have plant-like shapes with "trunks" and "branches", which may stand erect or spread over the surface. A few species can creep at about 2 centimeters (0.79 in) per day.[6] The bryozoan Alcyonidium nodosum protects the whelk Burnupena papyracea against predation by the powerful and voracious rock lobster Jasus lalandii. While whelk shells encrusted by the bryozoans are stronger than those without this reinforcement, chemical defenses produced by the bryozoans are probably the more significant deterrent.[76] The Wiki article is way over my head. The word 'Bryozoan' appears to be a catch all term for a group of odd plant like coral/anemone creatures. Over 4000 named 'Bryozoans'... I think this Bryozoan(again from Wiki) is similar to your photo Pat:  |
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Mar 2, 2014 10:36:07 GMT -5
"Bryozoans from the back of my closet"
Was wondering what else you have in the back of your closet Mrs Pat ?
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Fossilman
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Post by Fossilman on Mar 2, 2014 17:24:56 GMT -5
Crazy cool!
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Post by pghram on Mar 3, 2014 9:46:53 GMT -5
Excelent specimens.
Rich
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Post by Pat on Mar 3, 2014 14:26:48 GMT -5
Now I am wondering how I can preserve and display them. As you can see, they are breaking up. All suggestions welcome.
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Post by gingerkid on Mar 3, 2014 15:45:08 GMT -5
Those are cool, Ms. Pat, and like James, I would like to know what else is in the back of your closet??
I'm not sure, but I wondered if you could lacquer the pieces to preserve then display them? I think they would look pretty on a black wooden base.
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Post by Pat on Mar 3, 2014 16:49:23 GMT -5
Those are cool, Ms. Pat, and like James, I would like to know what else is in the back of your closet?? I'm not sure, but I wondered if you could lacquer the pieces to preserve then display them? I think they would look pretty on a black wooden base. I'd like to know, too! A black wooden base would be stunning. Don't know about the lacquer, but it might just be the right thing. |
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Mar 4, 2014 11:47:45 GMT -5
Another Bryozoan discovered in 'Pat's Closet'  |
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Mar 4, 2014 11:57:25 GMT -5
Remember this friendly bryozoan Pat ?
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Post by Pat on Mar 4, 2014 13:31:54 GMT -5
Another Bryozoan discovered in 'Pat's Closet' Is that colony alive? Hmmmm, now if that were a big Brazilian agate, Montana agate, or ....  Re the video: I try to forget it! The video is well-named! |
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Mar 4, 2014 14:07:30 GMT -5
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Post by Pat on Mar 4, 2014 14:11:23 GMT -5
jamesp, I wish you could, too.
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Mar 4, 2014 18:56:28 GMT -5
Those occur up to a meter in diameter in lakes ans swamps. I would like to drop one from an airplane into Shotgunners backyard whilst he is sitting on his patio having a beer.
I am thinking it would surprise him dramatically.
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jamesp
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Post by jamesp on Mar 4, 2014 19:06:34 GMT -5
Oh yes. I would say you got bryozoans in there Carlos. You find all the cool rocks Carlos.
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