Chemical composition during maturing and spawning of the sponge Dysidea herbacea (Porifera: Demospongiae)

Mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) have been implicated in many biochemical 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 in the sponge Dysidea herbacea (34) suggests that whereas some mycosporine amino acids may serve in this capacity, others are intrinsically involved in the reproductive process. The role of other compounds, such as homarine, gadusol and arachidonic acid, in reproduction of this sponge is also discussed. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.