Rosana Moreira da Rocha

Use of artificial substrata by introduced and cryptogenic marine species in Paranaguá Bay, southern Brazil

Abstract Ports are important locations for the introduction of marine species, while marinas and pontoons often serve as secondary habitats for these species. In a marina near Paranaguá Port, a major international port in southern Brazil, the encrusting community was studied to (i) identify possibly introduced species, and (ii) examine the use of artificial substrata by these species. Samples (20 × 20 cm) were taken from fibreglass floats (boardwalks and boat hulls) and concrete columns. A total of 85 species were found of which 50 were classified into three categories: four introduced, 33 cryptogenic and 13 native. The introduced species were the hydrozoan Garveia franciscana (on floats, boats and submerged concrete), the polychaete Polydora cornuta (more abundant on floats and submerged concrete) and the barnacles Amphibalanus reticulatus (equally abundant on the three substrata) and Striatobalanus amaryllis (only on floats and submerged concrete). Organisms were most abundant on floating boardwalks, while species richness and composition were similar to that on boat hulls (32 and 37, respectively), which are an important vector for intraregional transport. All substrata supported at least three of the four introduced, and many of the cryptogenic species. The proportion of introduced to the total number of species was greater than observed in other ports. This demonstrates that the introduction potential is great in Paranaguá Bay, especially considering that this study was restricted to one site and sampled only hard substrata. None of the introduced species has yet been identified as invasive, but all are generalists with respect to substratum, indicating their invasive potential. The ability to colonise stable concrete walls shows that they could also colonise the natural granite rocky substrata in the bay, and the ability to colonise floating surfaces indicate their capability of spreading in the region on the hulls of recreational boats.

Lissoclinotoxins E and F, novel cytotoxic alkaloids from a Philippine didemnid ascidian

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the MeOH extract from a Philippine didemnid ascidian resulted in the isolation of two new dimeric alkaloids, lissoclinotoxins E (1) and F (2). The polysulfide structures for compounds 1 and 2 were determined by interpretation of spectroscopic data and chemical degradation. Computational chemistry studies suggested that the N-alkyl chains about the tricyclic systems of lissoclinotoxins E and F had trans and cis orientations, respectively. Alkaloids 1 and 2 displayed IC50 values of 2.3 and 1.5 mg/mL, respectively, towards the PTEN-deficient human breast carcinoma cell line, MDA-MB-468. q 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Antibiotic, cytotoxic and enzyme inhibitory activity of crude extracts from Brazilian marine invertebrates

Herein we present the results of a screening with 349 crude extracts of Brazilian marine sponges, ascidians, bryozoans and octocorals, against 16 strains of susceptible and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, one yeast (Candida albicans), Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv, three cancer cell lines MCF-7 (breast), B16 (murine melanoma ) and HCT8 (colon), and Leishmania tarentolae adenine phosphoribosyl transferase (L-APRT) enzyme. Less than 15% of marine sponge crude extracts displayed antibacterial activity, both against susceptible and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Up to 40% of marine sponge crude extracts displayed antimycobacterial activity against M. tuberculosis H37Rv. Cytotoxicity was observed for 18% of marine sponge crude extracts. Finally, less than 3% of sponge extracts inhibited L-APRT. Less than 10% of ascidian crude extracts displayed antibacterial activity. More than 25% of ascidian crude extracts were active against M. tuberculosis and the three cancer cell lines. Only two crude extracts from the ascidian Polysyncraton sp. collected in different seasons (1995 and 1997) displayed activity against L-APRT. Less than 2% of bryozoan and octocoral crude extracts presented antibacterial activity, but a high percentage of crude extracts from bryozoan and octororal displayed cytotoxic (11% and 30%, respectively) and antimycobacterial (60%) activities. The extract of only one species of bryozoan, Bugula sp., presented inhibitory activity against L-APRT. Overall, the crude extracts of marine invertebrates herein investigated presented a high level of cytotoxic and antimycobacterial activities, a lower level of antibacterial activity and only a small number of crude extracts inhibited L-APRT. Taxonomic analysis of some of the more potently active crude extracts showed the occurrence of biological activity in taxa that have been previously chemically investigated. These include marine sponges belonging to genera Aaptos, Aplysina, Callyspongia, Haliclona, Niphates, Cliona, Darwinella, Dysidea, Ircinia, Monanchora and Mycale, ascidians of the genera Didemnum, Aplidium, Botrylloides, Clavelina, Polysyncraton and Symplegma, the bryozoan Bugula sp. and octocorals of the genera Carijoa and Lophogorgia. The subsequent chemical investigation of some of the active extracts led to the isolation of several new biologically active secondary metabolites. Our results are in agreement with previous screening programs carried out abroad, that showed a high percentage of bioactive extracts from Porifera, Ascidiacea, Cnidaria and Bryozoa.

The isolation and synthesis of polyandrocarpamines A and B. Two new 2-aminoimidazolone compounds from the Fijian ascidian, Polyandrocarpa sp.

Chemical investigation of a Fijian ascidian, Polyandrocarpa sp., has resulted in the isolation of two new 2-aminoimidazolone-derived compounds, polyandrocarpamines A (1) and B (2). The structures of these unique metabolites were determined by the interpretation of spectroscopic data and confirmed by total synthesis. The stereospecific synthesis of 1 was accomplished using aldol condensation chemistry to generate an arylidene thiohydantoin that was subsequently transaminated to yield polyandrocarpamine A. Demethylation of synthetic 1 afforded polyandrocarpamine B. Both the natural product and synthetic polyandrocarpamines were assigned Z geometries about the exocyclic double bond (C-5/C-7) on the basis of 13C/1H long-range coupling constants, which were measured using a gHSQMBC experiment.

Non indigenous ascidians in port and natural environments in a tropical Brazilian bay

Despite limited natural dispersal, some species of ascidians can be transported vast distances via oceanic petroleum platforms, ship hulls and ballast water and therefore may be good indicators of bioinvasion. Usually non indigenous species (NIS) are abundant in harbors. This is caused in part because of the higher propagule delivery rate in these areas. An alternative explanation of why invasion is enhanced in harbor and marinas is that environmental degradation commonly found in these habitats favors the establishment of NIS. Most surveys for introduced species were not comprehensive and targeted mainly ports and marinas. Angra dos Reis is an excellent system that provides an opportunity to compare the potential distribution of introduced and native species of Ascidiacea between port and natural environments. Here, we compared the colonization of experimental subtidal plates placed in harbors and marinas with the colonization of plates placed in nearby natural areas. With 27 taxa (15 identified to species), species richness was greater in port environments (25 versus 8). Six taxa were common to both environments while 19 taxa were exclusively found in ports. Among the identified species in ports, three were introduced, five were cryptogenic and only one was native. Only three species were found exclusively in the natural sites and all were cryptogenic. The presence of introduced species only in the port areas of Angra dos Reis reinforces the need for continued, periodic monitoring in the region for early detection of new, potentially invasive, species as well as for better understanding of abnormal population growth of the already known species. Management to reduce the transfer of exotics to natural habitats must be implemented.

Introduced and cryptogenic species and their management in Paranaguá Bay, Brazil

The aim of this work was to identify the introduced and cryptogenic species in encrusting and associat ed communities of hard substrates in Paranagua Bay, Br azil, and to attempt to determine which of these sp ecies could negatively affect the local community to suggest ma nagement strategies for these species. At least fou r introduced species were found ‐ a large number in comparison w ith other port surveys. These were the hydrozoan Garveia franciscana Torrey, 1902, the polychaete Polydora cornuta Bosc, 1902, the barnacles Amphibalanus reticulatus (Utinoni, 1967) and Striatobalanus amaryllis Darwin , 1854 , all with potentially harmful impacts. Of the 33 cryptogenic species, four were also listed in the las causing negative effects. We propose t he following management practices: periodic cleaning of all unde rwater structures, population monitoring of invasiv e species and potential substrates, an information database o f potential sources of introduction.

Isolamento e atividades biológicas de produtos naturais das esponjas monanchora arbuscula, aplysina sp. petromica ciocalyptoides e topsentia ophiraphidites, da ascídia didemnum ligulum e do octocoral carijoa riisei

The investigation of extracts from six species of marine invertebrates yielded one new and several known natural products. Isoptilocaulin from the sponge Monanchora aff. arbuscula displayed antimicrobial activity at 1.3 mg/mL against an oxacillin-resistant strain of Staphylococcus aureus. Five inactive known dibromotyrosine derivatives, 2 6, were isolated from a new species of marine sponge, Aplysina sp. The sponges Petromica ciocalyptoides and Topsentia ophiraphidites yielded the known halistanol sulfate A (7) as an inhibitor of the antileishmanial target adenosine phosphoribosyl transferase. The ascidian Didemnum ligulum yielded asterubin (10) and the new N,N-dimethyl-O-methylethanolamine (11). The octocoral Carijoa riisei yielded the known 18-acetoxypregna-1,4,20-trien-3-one (12), which displayed cytotoxic activity against the cancer cell lines SF295, MDA-MB435, HCT8 and HL60.The investigation of extracts from six species of marine invertebrates yielded one new and several known natural products. Isoptilocaulin from the sponge Monanchora aff. arbuscula displayed antimicrobial activity at 1.3 mg/mL against an oxacillin-resistant strain of Staphylococcus aureus. Five inactive known dibromotyrosine derivatives, 2 6, were isolated from a new species of marine sponge, Aplysina sp. The sponges Petromica ciocalyptoides and Topsentia ophiraphidites yielded the known halistanol sulfate A (7) as an inhibitor of the antileishmanial target adenosine phosphoribosyl transferase. The ascidian Didemnum ligulum yielded asterubin (10) and the new N,N-dimethyl-O-methylethanolamine (11). The octocoral Carijoa riisei yielded the known 18-acetoxypregna-1,4,20-trien-3-one (12), which displayed cytotoxic activity against the cancer cell lines SF295, MDA-MB435, HCT8 and HL60.

Substrate type as a selective tool against colonization by non-native sessile invertebrates

Substratos de diferentes materiais, cores, texturas e orientacao podem influenciar seletivamente no recrutamento de invertebrados sesseis e, assim, influenciar a comunidade resultante. Deste modo, o substrato pode funcionar como barreira contra o estabelecimento de especies nao nativas (NIS, na sigla em ingles). No sul do Brasil, o granito e a principal rocha formadora de costoes rochosos naturais disponiveis para organismos incrustantes. Nesta investigacao, nos testamos se o granito seleciona o recrutamento de especies e se poderia, assim, impedir a colonizacao de especies introduzidas ou criptogenicas ja estabelecidas em substratos artificiais na regiao. Placas nao polidas de granito e de polietileno foram submersas a cada mes em um pier de um iate clube na Baia de Paranagua. Ha uma comunidade ja estabelecida sobre colunas de concreto e sobre flutuadores de fibra de vidro presentes no iate clube. Depois de um, dois e doze meses, as especies presentes nas placas de diferentes materiais foram comparadas entre si e tambem com outros substratos. O granito foi colonizado por todas as sete especies introduzidas encontradas na regiao, e por 18 das 26 especies criptogenicas, sendo entao ineficaz como barreira contra a colonizacao de NIS.

Some Ascidians (Tunicata, Ascidiacea) from Paraná State, Southern Brazil

The records of eleven species from the Parana State coast are presented. One of them, Ascidia curvata (Traustedt, 1882), is first registered in the Brazilian coast. Six other species had their geographic distribution extended to the south in West Atlantic waters.

Ascidians at Currais islands, Paraná, Brazil: taxonomy and distribution

The Currais Islands is a group of a few small rocky islands in the state of Parana, in southern Brazil, which provides an interesting location for the study of ascidians. Subtidal diversity is very high and the islands have recently been proposed as a Conservation Unit. A field study was established on the largest island to understand ascidian distributions on spatial and temporal scales. Transects, sampled three times during 2002 and 2003, were established on northern and southern locations of the island as well as at three depths. Twenty species were recorded; the most common were Didemnum rodriguesi, Didemnum speciosum and Didemnum granulatum. Three species are possibly new and will be described elsewhere. An additional nine are new records for the state of Parana: Perophora regina, Didemnum speciosum, Trididemnum orbiculatum, Eudistoma carolinense, Aplidium pentatrema, Molgula phytophila, Botryllus tuberatus, Symplegma brakenhielmi and Polyandrocarpa anguinea. While all these species are distributed between 6 and 15 m, there is a tendency to reduction of abundance towards 15 m in several species. Some species appear to prefer the north side of the island. Several species show temporal changes in abundance, with some being most common in the spring and others in the summer, but we can not affirm yet that there is a seasonal pattern between years.