Assmann M, Lichte E, Köck M. (2004). Multiple defensive roles for bromopyrrole alkaloids from Caribbean Agelas sponges. In: Pansini M, Pronzato R, Bavestrello G, Manconi R, Sarà M (eds) Sponge Science in the New Millenium. Papers contributed to the VI International Sponge Conference Rapallo (Italy) 29 September – 5 October 2002. Bollettino dei Musei e degli Istituti Biologici dell'Universitá di Genova 68, pp 187-193.

280893

Assmann M, Lichte E, Köck M

2004

Publication

Proceedings of the 6th International Sponge Conference

Available for editors   [request]

Previous studies have indicated that Caribbean reef sponges of the common genus Agelas are chemically defended from fish predators by brominated pyrrole alkaloids: Agelas clathrodes and A. wiedenmayeri by 4,5-dibromopyrrole-2-carboxylic acid (1) and oroidin (2), A. conifera by sceptrin (3). In this study, we expand our understanding of chemical defense in this sponge genus to include an extensive HPLC quantification analysis of the defensive metabolites in tissues of A. cerebrum, A. cervicornis, A. dilatata, A. dispar and A. sceptrum. A. cervicornis and A. dispar contained the same two major metabolites as A. clathrodes and A. wiedenmayeri, while A. cerebrum, A. dilatata and A. sceptrum contained a mixture of dimeric bromopyrrole alkaloids dominated by sceptrin, similar to A. conifera. At natural volumetric concentrations, both crude extracts and purified compounds from each species were unpalatable to a common generalist reef fish, Thalassoma bifasciatum, in aquarium assays, and inhibited attachment of the marine bacterium Vibrio harveyi in surface fouling assays. Brominated pyrrole alkaloids may play multiple ecological roles in protecting sponges of the genus Agelas.

Caribbean region

Biogeochemistry

Porifera

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