title: Evidence for chemical defense in tropical green algaCaulerpa ashmeadii (Caulerpaceae: Chlorophyta): Isolation of new bioactive sesquiterpenoids.
abstract: Results of field feeding preference studies with 12 species of tropical green algae of the genusCaulerpa showed thatC. ashmeadii was preferred least by herbivorous fishes. Chemical investigations ofC. ashmeadii demonstrated the presence of high concentrations of sesquiterpenoid metabolites. The chemical isolation and structural elucidation of five majorC. ashmeadii metabolites, as well as the results of field feeding preference, antimicrobial, and ichthyotoxicity assays demonstrating the biological activities of these metabolites are reported here.
authors.affiliation: UOG Station, University of Guam Marine Laboratory, 96923, Mangilao, Guam.
authors.forename: V J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Littler
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Littler
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Fenical