Transformation of soft coral (Coelenterata: Octocorallia) terpenes by Ovula ovum (Mollusca: Prosobranchia)

Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
Coll, J.C.;Tapiolas, D.M.;Bowden, B.F.;Webb, L.;Marsh, H.
Helene Marsh
Abstract

The faecal pellets from specimens of the prosobranch mollusc Ovula ovum found feeding on the soft coral Sarcophyton sp. at Eclipse Island, Palm Island Group (18°46'S; 146°33'E) in November 1980 were analysed. The only terpene present in the faeces, 7,8-deoxysarcophytoxide, differed from the major constituent of the soft coral, sarcophytoxide, suggesting that the latter had been transformed into the former within the cowrie. This transformation is not trivial, and could not be produced simply by acid catalysis. Subsequent analysis of tissues dissected from different regions of O. ovum indicates that the transformation is probably effected by enzymes in the digestive diverticula stomach region of the prosobranch. The transformed compound is significantly less toxic to the mosquito fish Gambusia affinis Baird and Girard than the ingested compound.

Journal

Marine Biology

Publication Name

Marine Biology

Volume

74

ISBN/ISSN

1432-1793

Edition

N/A

Issue

1

Pages Count

6

Location

N/A

Publisher

Springer

Publisher Url

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Publisher Location

N/A

Publish Date

N/A

Url

N/A

Date

N/A

EISSN

N/A

DOI

10.1007/BF00394272