Macroalgal Chemical Defenses in Polar Marine Communities

Baker, Bill J.; Amsler, Charles D.; McClintock, James B.

doi:10.1007/978-3-540-74181-7_4

Cited by 10 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 54 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…At small scales, factors such as seaweed biomass, surface area and branching patterns influence epifaunal community structure (Russo, 1990; Knowles & Bell, 1998;Christie et al, 2003). In this context, our results agree with those of numerous authors, who found that the abundance and diversity of amphipod vary in each algal species according to shape, depth and the exposed surface area (Huang et al, 2007;Amsler et al, 2008;Aumack et al, 2011;Eilertsen et al, 2011;Wiencke & Amsler, 2012). Hence, losing habitat formation may cause an imbalance in its main function (shelter and protection), resulting in drastic consequences facing the number of individuals and species of its associated fauna (Machado et al, 2019).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Abundance, Distribution, and Diversity of Intertidal Macro-Algal Associated with Amphipods in the Red Sea, Egypt

Elsebakhy et al.

2023

Egypt. J. of Aquatic Biolo. and Fish.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Amphipods are small aquatic herbivores feeding on seagrasses, macroalgae and small zooplanktons, which can alter the population dynamics of their hosts and the structure of benthic assemblages (Poore et al., 2008). They are among the most common species associated with many benthic marine habitats (Lörz, 2001). In addition, they are associated with different benthic habitat like seagrass, sponges, algae, corals, soft bottom and rocky substrates. They are classified as one of the most diverse crustacean taxa (Marques & Bellan-Santini, 1990). Moreover, amphipods play an important role in the aquatic food chain, particularly for some fish species as live food such as Lutjanidae, snappers and pinfish as well as invertebrates such as shrimp (Sudo & Azeta, 1996).

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Abundance, Distribution, and Diversity of Intertidal Macro-Algal Associated with Amphipods in the Red Sea, Egypt

Elsebakhy et al.

2023

Egypt. J. of Aquatic Biolo. and Fish.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The most abundant steroidal componentspresented in the extract (Figure 6). Campesterol, β-sitosterol, and stigmasterol (about 10–20% of the extract), were identified based on comparisons with standards (Sigma/Aldrich Products) and/or literature [20] (Table 1).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The main compounds identified in the P. crispa extract were β-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol [20], which were assayed in the cockroach nerve-muscle preparations for comparison against the whole extract. Overall, the assay of the phytosterols isolated, at 80 μg/g body weight, resulted in a mimicking of the neuromuscular blockade induced by the algae whole n-hexane extract.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Entomotoxic Activity of Prasiola crispa (Antarctic Algae) in Nauphoeta cinerea Cockroaches: Identification of Main Steroidal Compounds

et al. 2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Prasiola crispa is a macroscopic green algae found in abundance in Antarctica ice free areas. Prasiola crispan-hexaneextract (HPC) induced insecticidal activity in Nauphoeta cinerea cockroaches after 24 h of exposure. The chemical analysis of HPC revealed the presence of the followingphytosterols: β-sitosterol, campesterol and stigmasterol. The incubation of cockroach semi-isolated heart preparations with HPC caused a significant negative chronotropic activity in the heartbeats. HPC affected the insect neuromuscular function by inducing a complete inhibition of the cockroach leg-muscle twitch tension. When the isolated phytosterols were injected at in vivo cockroach neuromuscular preparations, there was a progressive inhibition of muscle twitches on the following order of potency: β-sitosterol > campesterol > stigmasterol. HPC also provoked significant behavioral alterations, characterized by the increase or decrease of cockroach grooming activity, depending on the dose assayed. Altogether, the results presented here corroborate the insecticide potential of Prasiola crispa Antarctic algae. They also revealed the presence of phytosterols and the involvement of these steroidal compounds in the entomotoxic activity of the algae, potentially by modulating octopaminergic-cholinergic pathways. Further phytochemical-combined bioguided analysis of the HPC will unveil novel bioactive compounds that might be an accessory to the insecticide activity of the algae.

show abstract

“…A multitude of scientific research indicated that ocean warming has caused ecological impacts on various marine flora and fauna species across the globe, with a range of species marching away from their native homes in search of cooler climes [ 120 , 121 , 122 , 123 , 124 , 125 , 126 , 127 , 128 , 129 , 130 , 131 , 132 , 133 ]. With heatwaves sweeping through oceans twice as much as they did in the early 1990s, many biodiversity hotspots around the world are on the verge of imminent collapse.…”

Section: At a Glance: Key Defence Strategies Of Marine Macroalgae Aga...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Marine algae are known to be a viable source of specialized metabolites that play a crucial role in the ecosystem and climate functioning [ 126 , 127 ]. Tropical macroalgal taxa have been reported to produce a higher diversity of metabolites compared to their temperate counterparts, dominated by halogenated metabolites, terpenoids, acetogenins, and phenolics [ 127 , 128 ]. Mainly regulated by developmental, genetic, and environmental factors, these metabolites play diverse ecological functions in macroalgae, from being deterrent against herbivores to defenders to fight against specific pathogens and competitors for space with other marine organisms [ 127 , 129 , 130 ].…”

Section: At a Glance: Key Defence Strategies Of Marine Macroalgae Aga...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Marine Autotroph-Herbivore Synergies: Unravelling the Roles of Macroalgae in Marine Ecosystem Dynamics

Cheng

Lim

et al. 2022

Biology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Species invasion is a leading threat to marine ecosystems worldwide, being deemed as one of the ultimate jeopardies for biodiversity along with climate change. Tackling the emerging biodiversity threat to maintain the ecological balance of the largest biome in the world has now become a pivotal part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Marine herbivores are often considered as biological agents that control the spread of invasive species, and their effectiveness depends largely on factors that influence their feeding preferences, including the specific attributes of their food–the autotrophs. While the marine autotroph-herbivore interactions have been substantially discussed globally, many studies have reported contradictory findings on the effects of nutritional attributes and novelty of autotrophs on herbivore feeding behaviour. In view of the scattered literature on the mechanistic basis of autotroph-herbivore interactions, we generate a comprehensive review to furnish insights into critical knowledge gaps about the synergies based largely on the characteristics of macroalgae; an important group of photosynthetic organisms in the marine biome that interact strongly with generalist herbivores. We also discuss the key defence strategies of these macroalgae against the herbivores, highlighting their unique attributes and plausible roles in keeping the marine ecosystems intact. Overall, the feeding behaviour of herbivores can be affected by the nutritional attributes, morphology, and novelty of the autotrophs. We recommend that future research should carefully consider different factors that can potentially affect the dynamics of the marine autotroph-herbivore interactions to resolve the inconsistent results of specific attributes and novelty of the organisms involved.

show abstract

Macroalgal Chemical Defenses in Polar Marine Communities

Cited by 10 publications

References 54 publications

Abundance, Distribution, and Diversity of Intertidal Macro-Algal Associated with Amphipods in the Red Sea, Egypt

Abundance, Distribution, and Diversity of Intertidal Macro-Algal Associated with Amphipods in the Red Sea, Egypt

Entomotoxic Activity of Prasiola crispa (Antarctic Algae) in Nauphoeta cinerea Cockroaches: Identification of Main Steroidal Compounds

Marine Autotroph-Herbivore Synergies: Unravelling the Roles of Macroalgae in Marine Ecosystem Dynamics

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About