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Every so often when out on the hills, I see some odd jelly-like substance - a bit like frogspawn but not split into eggs and without the nuclei.
I've seen it on grass, and I've seen it on heather.
I've often wondered what it is, and know there's been some debate about it, e.g.:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/outdoors/articles/jelly/
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article6840730.ece
On Saturday I saw what I think was probably the same thing, but aged a bit (not the clearest of photos, sorry):
http://www.dreamsofmountains.co.uk/scrapbook/20100814Goo.jpg
http://www.dreamsofmountains.co.uk/scrapbook/20100814Goo2.jpg
http://www.dreamsofmountains.co.uk/scrapbook/20100814Goo3.jpg
This had what looked like yellow fungal blooms on it; I don't know whether they were part of it (meaning the jelly was fungal and those were its blooms), or just growing on it. Or whether this was something different, of course.
I imagine it's too late in the year for this one to be to do with frogs spawning.
Has anyone else seen it, and does anyone know what it is?
I've seen it on grass, and I've seen it on heather.
I've often wondered what it is, and know there's been some debate about it, e.g.:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/outdoors/articles/jelly/
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article6840730.ece
On Saturday I saw what I think was probably the same thing, but aged a bit (not the clearest of photos, sorry):
http://www.dreamsofmountains.co.uk/scrapbook/20100814Goo.jpg
http://www.dreamsofmountains.co.uk/scrapbook/20100814Goo2.jpg
http://www.dreamsofmountains.co.uk/scrapbook/20100814Goo3.jpg
This had what looked like yellow fungal blooms on it; I don't know whether they were part of it (meaning the jelly was fungal and those were its blooms), or just growing on it. Or whether this was something different, of course.
I imagine it's too late in the year for this one to be to do with frogs spawning.
Has anyone else seen it, and does anyone know what it is?
In reply to skog:
I remember seeing quite a lot in Coire an t-Sneachda in May. It seemed to be on bits of grass and heather where the snow had just melted--really no idea what it could be!
I remember seeing quite a lot in Coire an t-Sneachda in May. It seemed to be on bits of grass and heather where the snow had just melted--really no idea what it could be!
In reply to skog: I've often seen it round here in north Wales. Last blobs I saw were in Cwmffynnon above the Pyg Inn a few months back.
In reply to Mike Peacock: Here's a pic from then (of a small blob)
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4665913&l=917b4c954d&id=50753...
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4665913&l=917b4c954d&id=50753...
Science is great, eh?
From the evidence so far, I feel safe in concluding that the Elven spawning season runs from May to August. I don't know how long Elves take to gestate, so cannot yet determine their breeding season.
From the evidence so far, I feel safe in concluding that the Elven spawning season runs from May to August. I don't know how long Elves take to gestate, so cannot yet determine their breeding season.
In reply to skog:
>cannot yet determine their breeding season.
Oh anytime with an elf.....
http://tinyurl.com/257j4ps
anytime........
>cannot yet determine their breeding season.
Oh anytime with an elf.....
http://tinyurl.com/257j4ps
anytime........
In reply to skog:
could be a young dog vomit slime mold?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuligo_septica
>
> This had what looked like yellow fungal blooms on it; I don't know whether they were part of it (meaning the jelly was fungal and those were its blooms), or just growing on it. Or whether this was something different, of course.
> This had what looked like yellow fungal blooms on it; I don't know whether they were part of it (meaning the jelly was fungal and those were its blooms), or just growing on it. Or whether this was something different, of course.
could be a young dog vomit slime mold?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuligo_septica
In reply to skog: Your pictures look like a decomposing fungus: I'm probably wrong though...
In reply to skog:
Pwdre Ser (The Rot of the Stars)
H. A. BAYLIS
PERHAPS I may be allowed to reopen a subject which gave rise to a very interesting correspondence in NATURE in 1910. I refer to the mysterious jelly-like substance found lying about in open spaces, and popularly connected with ‘shooting-stars,’ about which Prof. T. McKenny Hughes contributed an interesting article to these columns on June 23, 1910. Many suggestions as to the origin of this substance were made both by Prof. Hughes and by later correspondents, but no definite conclusion seems to have been reached. Of course it cannot be taken for granted that the ‘jelly’ is always of the same nature. It may well be that the ‘jellies’ recorded by some observers were the plasmodia of Myxomycetes, or masses of Nostoc or some other organism. But it seems to have been suggested so early as 1667 by Merrett that the jelly consisted of the viscera of frogs. He says (I quote from Prof. Hughes) ”Regiae Societati palam ostendi solummodo oriri ex intestinis ranarum a corvis in unum locum congestis, quod aliis etiam ejusdem societatis viri praestantissimi postea confirmarunt”
> Science is great, eh?
Pwdre Ser (The Rot of the Stars)
H. A. BAYLIS
PERHAPS I may be allowed to reopen a subject which gave rise to a very interesting correspondence in NATURE in 1910. I refer to the mysterious jelly-like substance found lying about in open spaces, and popularly connected with ‘shooting-stars,’ about which Prof. T. McKenny Hughes contributed an interesting article to these columns on June 23, 1910. Many suggestions as to the origin of this substance were made both by Prof. Hughes and by later correspondents, but no definite conclusion seems to have been reached. Of course it cannot be taken for granted that the ‘jelly’ is always of the same nature. It may well be that the ‘jellies’ recorded by some observers were the plasmodia of Myxomycetes, or masses of Nostoc or some other organism. But it seems to have been suggested so early as 1667 by Merrett that the jelly consisted of the viscera of frogs. He says (I quote from Prof. Hughes) ”Regiae Societati palam ostendi solummodo oriri ex intestinis ranarum a corvis in unum locum congestis, quod aliis etiam ejusdem societatis viri praestantissimi postea confirmarunt”
In reply to skog:
Yup, seen it many times in Snowdonia over the years. Like you I have no idea what it is. Decomposing fungus sounds feasible though.
Yup, seen it many times in Snowdonia over the years. Like you I have no idea what it is. Decomposing fungus sounds feasible though.
In reply to Baku Steve: youtube.com/watch?v=mrrCYQWosJI&
In reply to Tree:
Maybe. The goo was pretty much colourless and very translucent, not like a mushroom, but possibly some sort of slime mould. It was very much engulfing the plant stems around it, though not obviously affecting them. The yellow bits were quite discrete, and looked a lot like those I've seen on 'blooming' lichens.
It might be something different from the ragged jelly chinks I've also seen before (similar to the one Mike Peacock linked to) - I don't have a good reason for thinking it's the same thing, really.
> Your pictures look like a decomposing fungus: I'm probably wrong though...
Maybe. The goo was pretty much colourless and very translucent, not like a mushroom, but possibly some sort of slime mould. It was very much engulfing the plant stems around it, though not obviously affecting them. The yellow bits were quite discrete, and looked a lot like those I've seen on 'blooming' lichens.
It might be something different from the ragged jelly chinks I've also seen before (similar to the one Mike Peacock linked to) - I don't have a good reason for thinking it's the same thing, really.
In reply to skog: Almost certainly a type of slime mould (Google is your friend for more info). Weird life form like fungi but not quite the same. When the conditions are right some species go through a phase where the individual cells combine into a single structure (can't remember the name, it's a while since I read about it) like a giant mega-cell containing all the individual nuclei. Or at least, that's what I think I remember reading. But anyway, slime mould. That's the stuff. I first saw it on Dartmoor a few years ago. Oh, and - it can MOVE! I kid you not.
In reply to Rip van Winkle:
I think I've seen a film about this...
I think I've seen a film about this...
In reply to skog: Posted a thread about this last year after finding the white gooey stuff up Glen Clova. There was no clear answer as to what it is, don't think even the scientisty folk know exactly what it is!
http://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/t.php?t=371327&v=1#x5390724
http://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/t.php?t=371327&v=1#x5390724
In reply to Slugain Howff: It's a hillwalker who enjoys semolina pudding. Where's the mystery? It's a common hill food, eaten from large bowls carried on the head.
In reply to Sonya Mc:
It's interesting!
Slime mould seems like the most likely answer, but it's quite possible there are different types, with different causes. Some of it could well be frog innards.
I'm not at all convinced by the meteorite idea!
It's interesting!
Slime mould seems like the most likely answer, but it's quite possible there are different types, with different causes. Some of it could well be frog innards.
I'm not at all convinced by the meteorite idea!
In reply to skog: I saw my first slime mould this year (though someone else identified it for me). Very cool:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikepeacock/4592322588/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikepeacock/4592322588/
In reply to Mike Peacock: that's interesting. i've just found out i saw the same thing last month, but an earlier stage that looks rather different..
http://www.hainaultforest.co.uk/Slime%20mould%20Peter1.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enteridium_lycoperdon
http://www.hainaultforest.co.uk/Slime%20mould%20Peter1.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enteridium_lycoperdon
In reply to subalpine: Thanks for that, I wasn't sure of the species but that looks spot on.
On a fungal note (though not star jellies), it's amazing the variety you can find in one small area:
http://www.dreamsofmountains.co.uk/aberfeldy200810/aberfeldy200810.htm
http://www.dreamsofmountains.co.uk/aberfeldy200810/aberfeldy200810.htm
In reply to Rip van Winkle: A couple of links about slime mo(u)lds: here's one which describes the aggregated form - a plasmodium
http://www.mycolog.com/slimemoulds.htm
and here's one I saw not long ago which shows that a different species is really quite clever - well, as good if not better than humans at building efficient networks.
What this has to do with UKRC I'm - er - not quite sure.
http://www.mycolog.com/slimemoulds.htm
and here's one I saw not long ago which shows that a different species is really quite clever - well, as good if not better than humans at building efficient networks.
What this has to do with UKRC I'm - er - not quite sure.
In reply to Rip van Winkle: Oops, forgot to post the second link. Here it is.
http://www.ox.ac.uk/media/news_stories/2010/100122.html
http://www.ox.ac.uk/media/news_stories/2010/100122.html
In reply to skog:
I came across this walking in to Cruachan one autumn a few years ago. Infact it was a large dead frog encased in the stuff, with various other frog free pieces in the vacinity.
I came across this walking in to Cruachan one autumn a few years ago. Infact it was a large dead frog encased in the stuff, with various other frog free pieces in the vacinity.
In reply to richparker:
the intrigue continues..
> Infact it was a large dead frog encased in the stuff, with various other frog free pieces in the vacinity.
the intrigue continues..
In reply to subalpine: Aside from slime mould, I've also read that foxes sometimes eat frogs but can't digest them, or the frog secretes something to protect itself, so for whatever reason the fox regurgitates the frog plus a jelly-like coating. No idea whether there's any truth in this, or whether it's any frog or just some species.
In reply to Rip van Winkle:
...or was this last night's cheese generated bad dream. Fox propelled,jelly coated frog vomit indeed - Roald Dahl couldn't have conjured up better!!!
> (In reply to subalpine) Aside from slime mould, I've also read that foxes sometimes eat frogs but can't digest them, or the frog secretes something to protect itself, so for whatever reason the fox regurgitates the frog plus a jelly-like coating. No idea whether there's any truth in this, or whether it's any frog or just some species.
...or was this last night's cheese generated bad dream. Fox propelled,jelly coated frog vomit indeed - Roald Dahl couldn't have conjured up better!!!
In reply to Sonya Mc:
Somehow Brian T and his 'offerings' springs to mind..
> (In reply to skog) Posted a thread about this last year after finding the white gooey stuff up Glen Clova.
Somehow Brian T and his 'offerings' springs to mind..
In reply to skog:
I was told that the mystery goo is actually frog spawn that birds have picked up dropped before reaching the safety of their nests. I've only really seen the stuff in spring when the frog spawn is about so there may be some truth in the theory?
Iain
I was told that the mystery goo is actually frog spawn that birds have picked up dropped before reaching the safety of their nests. I've only really seen the stuff in spring when the frog spawn is about so there may be some truth in the theory?
Iain
In reply to IainMunro:
I don't believe it's frog spawn. I was with Sonya when she saw it and the patches were too big and extensive, unless it was a flock of big seagulls or eagles!
I don't believe it's frog spawn. I was with Sonya when she saw it and the patches were too big and extensive, unless it was a flock of big seagulls or eagles!
In reply to Andy Nisbet:
The Slugain Howff seems to have come up with the most plausible theory so far then! :oP
Iain
> I don't believe it's frog spawn
The Slugain Howff seems to have come up with the most plausible theory so far then! :oP
Iain
In reply to IainMunro:
I would go for something fungal or bacterial, but don't know what. I think it was growing where we saw it, not regurgitated or excreted.
I would go for something fungal or bacterial, but don't know what. I think it was growing where we saw it, not regurgitated or excreted.
In reply to Andy Nisbet: Probably a flight of dragons
In reply to Siward:
It was Glen Clova, not Jurassic Park. Mind you - - - - ?
> (In reply to Andy Nisbet) Probably a flight of dragons
It was Glen Clova, not Jurassic Park. Mind you - - - - ?
I saw some more of it on Sunday on Ben Aslak (Skye):
http://www.dreamsofmountains.co.uk/scottishhills/20100905ba/20100905-05Slim...
http://www.dreamsofmountains.co.uk/scottishhills/20100905ba/20100905-06Slim...
http://www.dreamsofmountains.co.uk/scottishhills/20100905ba/20100905-07Slim...
This looked the same as before, but moister (it had rained the night before) and with more of the yellow.
I'm happy with the slime mould explanation for this, but it does look quite different from the clear goo blobs some others have linked to that I've seen before.
http://www.dreamsofmountains.co.uk/scottishhills/20100905ba/20100905-05Slim...
http://www.dreamsofmountains.co.uk/scottishhills/20100905ba/20100905-06Slim...
http://www.dreamsofmountains.co.uk/scottishhills/20100905ba/20100905-07Slim...
This looked the same as before, but moister (it had rained the night before) and with more of the yellow.
I'm happy with the slime mould explanation for this, but it does look quite different from the clear goo blobs some others have linked to that I've seen before.
In reply to Andy Nisbet:
Theres some in my back garden (admittedly fairly remote) so passing of dragons can be ruled out as one would have noticed flapping noise.
> (In reply to Siward)
> [...]
>
> It was Glen Clova, not Jurassic Park. Mind you - - - - ?
> [...]
>
> It was Glen Clova, not Jurassic Park. Mind you - - - - ?
Theres some in my back garden (admittedly fairly remote) so passing of dragons can be ruled out as one would have noticed flapping noise.
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