Are there any unique plants or animals only found in lake Baikal?

What are these creature or plants in Brookville Lake???

• I would like to identify these things I found in Brookville Lake in South East Indiana. They are attached to underwater logs and are very numerous. They range in size from 4" to 8" and are round in shape. They are partially wrapped around the log or limb they are attached to. When you put them up to a light they are almost completely transparent. The tecture is like a firm Gelitious substance. I really don't know if they are plants or animals. I brought one home and have had it in a plastic container of water for 6 weeks and it has not changed at all. If anyone has any idea what this is please let me know. Brookville has another creature that I have never observed anywhere else. At night on the shoreline are many small bugs that generate a green glow on and off every few seconds. When you find one with a flash light they are about 3/8" to 1/2" long and have legs. Are these "Glow Worms" or something else and why are they so uncommon?????

• Answer:

  The first sounds like some sort of algal growth. Hard to say with that description. You might want to try biology or botany category and see if anyone answers. The second is probably what I would call a lightening bug or a firefly. It is a beetle-like insect-hard wings and the abdomen glows when they flash it.