CHEMICAL-COMPOSITION DURING MATURING AND SPAWNING OF THE SPONGE DYSIDEA-HERBACEA (PORIFERA, DEMOSPONGIAE)

Mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) have been implicated in many bioch emical processes in marine organisms, but the major emphasis has been directed to their role as UV protectant compounds. The quantitation of MAAs, mycosporine-gly-gly, mycosporine-gly, usujirene and palythene i n the sponge Dysidea herbacea (34) suggests that whereas some mycospor ine amino acids may serve in this capacity, others are intrinsically i nvolved in the reproductive process. The role of other compounds, such as homarine, gadusol and arachidonic acid, in reproduction of this sp onge is also discussed. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.