Chemical defense of Hymeniacidon heliophila (Porifera: halichondrida) against tropical predators
Various benthic organisms have chemical defenses which reduce their predators' consumption. Although their efficiency may be noticed in many organisms, many of their effects are not well- known yet. Multiple ecological roles of secondary metabolites are shown in some sponges, which may represen...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Universidade de São Paulo
2010-12-01
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| Series: | Brazilian Journal of Oceanography |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1679-87592010000400006 |
| Summary: | Various benthic organisms have chemical defenses which reduce their predators' consumption. Although their efficiency may be noticed in many organisms, many of their effects are not well- known yet. Multiple ecological roles of secondary metabolites are shown in some sponges, which may represent an adaptative advantage considering the high amount of energy used to produce these chemical compounds. The goal of this work was to investigate the defensive property of the extracts from the sponge Hymeniacidon heliophila against the tropical predators: hermit crabs (Calcinus tibicens), sea urchins (Lytechinus variegatus) and generalist fishes. Extracts obtained with n-hexane, ethyl acetate and acetone/methanol were used in assays and all of them were effective in reducing the consumption by C. tibicens; n-hexane extract reduced the consumption by L. variegatus; and medium polarity extracts reduced fish consumption. Either the variation in action or the multiple ecological roles of the extracts indicates that different types of compounds can be associated to the defensive system produced by H. heliophila.<br>Diversos organismos bênticos possuem defesas químicas que ajudam a diminuir a predação. Embora sua eficácia seja comprovada, muitos de seus efeitos são ainda desconhecidos. Múltiplas funções dos metabolitos secundários foram evidenciadas em algumas esponjas e isso pode representar uma vantagem adaptativa, considerando o alto valor energético gasto pelas espécies para produzí-los. O objetivo desse trabalho foi investigar as propriedades defensivas de extratos da esponja Hymeniacidon heliophila contra predadores tropicais: paguros (Calcinus tibicens), ouriços-do-mar (Lytechinus variegatus) e peixes generalistas. Extratos em n-hexano, acetato de etila e acetona/metanol foram usados nos ensaios e todos foram eficientes na redução do consumo por C. tibicen; extratos em n-hexano reduziram o consumo por L. variegatus; e extratos de média polaridade reduziram o consumo por peixes. A variação na ação ou as funções ecológicas múltiplas dos extratos indicam que diferentes tipos de substâncias podem ser associadas ao sistema defensivo produzido por Hymeniacidon heliophila. |
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| ISSN: | 1679-8759 1982-436X |