Chemical defense of Hymeniacidon heliophila (Porifera: halichondrida) against tropical predators

Authors

  • Suzi Meneses Ribeiro Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; Museu Nacional; Departamento de Invertebrados
  • Éverson Miguel Bianco Universidade Federal de Pernambuco; Departamento de Química Fundamental
  • Ricardo Rogers Universidade Federal Fluminense; Instituto de Biologia; Departamento de Biologia Marinha
  • Valéria Laneuville Teixeira Universidade Federal Fluminense; Instituto de Química
  • Renato Crespo Pereira Universidade Federal Fluminense; Instituto de Química

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S1679-87592010000400006

Keywords:

Hymeniacidon heliophila, chemical defenses, predation, tropical predators

Abstract

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.

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Published

2010-12-01

Issue

Section

naodefinida

How to Cite

Chemical defense of Hymeniacidon heliophila (Porifera: halichondrida) against tropical predators. (2010). Brazilian Journal of Oceanography, 58(4), 315-321. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1679-87592010000400006