Soft bodied fossils, invasive species, and fishing stocks, some of the science reported over the last ten days:

Invasive tunicates in Oregon: Didemnum vexillum has been added to Oregons’s most dangerous species list. This is an unusual status for a tunicate, a group of animals that usually live a blameless existance filtering seawater for food. Apparently, however, vexillum is an alien species that grows over surfaces and can block water intakes and foul fishing nets. The species can also grow over clams and oyster beds, killing them. From ScienceDaily (May 13, 2010)

Fossil haul illuminates Ordovician ocean: 1500 fossils of soft bodied marine animals, including sponges, annelid worms and molluscs, have been found in southeastern Morocco. The animals date from the Ordovician (490-440 MYA), a period that saw many of the groups we know today establish themeselves. The absence of Ediacaran organisms confirm that these unusual early life forms had become extinct by the start of the Ordovician period. From ScienceDaily (May 14, 2010)

Personal care products polute rivers: Biocides and aroma chemicals added to modern personal care products are finding their way into our fresh-water systems. From ScienceDaily (May 14, 2010). While the European study did not believe that their findings posed any risk to humans, research in the States indicates that the common antibacterial agent triclosan is contributing to rising levels of dioxins in river sediments in the Missippi. From ScienceDaily (May 18, 2010).

Coral larvae listen out for reefs: Coral larvae swim towards the sounds of coral reefs. From ScienceDaily (May 16, 2010)

Altantic swordfish stocks recover: A small number of fish stocks saw an improvement in the latest NOAA fisheries report to Congress. For the first time since 1997 no additional species were added to the overfishing list. From ScienceDaily (May 17, 2010)

Greatest grand-daddy: The largest study to date confirms Darwin’s conjecture that all life originates from a single common ancestor. The study was based on the analysis of 23 ‘essential’ proteins, which are found to be related in a simple way accross the entire range of organisms, including eukaryotes (like ourselves), bacteria and archaea. From ScienceDaily (May 17, 2010)

Crews remove lost nets: Fishing gear abandonned or lost at sea, called ‘ghost gear’, continues to ensnare and kill marine animals, as well as posing a risk to boats. Resistant to degredation, the only way to end the cycle of death is to physically remove the gear. From USA Today, May 18, 2010, via The Spill.