Mystery Seashore organism (4 Viewers)

[Jane Turner]

I did think about one of those growths you get on Right Whales - but aren't those califerous?

 

[Jane Turner]

no idea...any more photos?

Some sea snails produce strange egg masses; also I was thinking of Ascidians or tunicates, or perhaps a Cirripedian (some these tropical barnacle relatives)...but nuffing really fits...

Alas No Joerm. I eally expected to find what it was within seconds of opening the guide to sea shores and shallow Seas!

 

[deborah4]

I did think about one of those growths you get on Right Whales - but aren't those califerous?

I have no idea what 'califerous' means, but if you thought what you found may be some kind of skin growth, perhaps we're thinking along the same lines here.

Deborah

 

[Keith Reeder]

I imagine that Jane has just mistyped "calciferous" - "bearing or producing or containing calcium or calcium carbonate or calcite".

I get a vague sense of familiarity with this thing, and I can't shake the idea that it's an egg case of some sort.

 

[Katy Penland]

Hope you don't mind, Jane, but I forwarded your photo and some of your description as to its heft and feel to a friend who's a pro underwater photographer and long-time scuba diver, who didn't have a clue, so she forwarded it to a NOAA scientist friend of hers who's literally done research in about every patch of saltwater there is. Hopefully he'll have some idea. :t:

When I first saw it, I thought it looked like a folded up mini-frog.

 

[Jane Turner]

I'm pleased you have Katy. I'd love an answer!

 

[Jane Turner]

I have no idea what 'califerous' means, but if you thought what you found may be some kind of skin growth, perhaps we're thinking along the same lines here.

Deborah

Its like calciferous, but spelled incorrectly - sorry

 

[deborah4]

Its like calciferous, but spelled incorrectly - sorry

No problem: I wouldn't have known what calciferous was either until I checked on Web . :t: I've also been reading up on lesions, fungal and viral epidermal symptons of larger marine mammals - there's plenty of info on-line but not easy to interpret for non-marine biologists! :scribe: It's depressing reading as many of these deformities are linked to anthropogenic pollutants.

What u described certainly doesn't sound calciferic (great word eh!) maybe Kathy's contacts come up with something - let's hope whatever it is, it is not symptomatic of a deeper problem with our marine life that we are not yet aware of.

 

[MikeMules]

It wouldn't be some sort of tunicate would it? are there any holes that squirt water when you squeeze it? I don't suppose there are any other photos are there?

 

[Jane Turner]

No it was apparently orifice free!

 

[Julian Bell]

Hope you don't mind, Jane, but I forwarded your photo and some of your description as to its heft and feel to a friend who's a pro underwater photographer and long-time scuba diver, who didn't have a clue, so she forwarded it to a NOAA scientist friend of hers who's literally done research in about every patch of saltwater there is. Hopefully he'll have some idea. :t:

When I first saw it, I thought it looked like a folded up mini-frog.

I remember finding those things on the beach back home in Northumberland. I can't remember what they were now - but I think it is either eggs or possibly a "sea potato". Did you try cutting it to see inside?

 

[Jane Turner]

I know it not a Sea Potato - I see them regularly. I rather wish I had cut inside it now. i can see a trip back out to Conway being likely at this rate!

 

[Gus Horsley]

I think you modelled it out of Flymo (or whatever it's called), then photographed it and stuck it on here as a prank. Either that or it really is a bit of chicken (there's a KFC at Llandudno Junction). Am I right? Do I win £5?

Gus

 

[Jane Turner]

Its Fimo

 

[Gus Horsley]

Its Fimo

Aha! So I was right!

Gus

 

[Jane Turner]

That wasn't a confession. In any case I only have glow in the dark Fimo!

 

[Joern Lehmhus]

That´s why you did the photo during daylight?

 

[dampflippers]

Ermmmm, were you near a sewer outfall?

 

[dampflippers]

Or an eroded plaited doggy chew?

 

[Jane Turner]

Both of the "clusters" did show evidence of having grown into that shape!