Studies on the Gorgonians of China——Ⅰ. Isis with one new species

Biostatistics (F analysis and Duncan's new multiple range test) combining with numerical and traditional taxonomy is used to report one new species, ( Isis minorbrachyblasta(I. m) ) as well as I. hippuris (I. h) and I. reticulata(I. r) from the China seas. The morphological characters of the spicules and other skeletal structures of each species are illustrated in de-tials with Scanning Electron Micrographs and compared with each other.

Morphology and molecular phylogeny of Paragorgia rubra sp.nov.(Cnidaria:Octocorallia),a new bubblegum coral species from a seamount in the tropical Western Pacific

A new species of bubblegum coral, Paragorgia rubra sp. nov., discovered from a seamount at a water depth of 373 m near the Yap Trench is studied using morphological and molecular approaches. Paragorgia rubra sp. nov. is the fourth species of the genus found in the tropical Western Pacific. The new gorgonian is red-colored, uniplanar, and measures approximately 530 mm high and 440 mm wide, with autozooids distributed only on one side of the colony. Paragorgia rubra sp. nov. is most similar to P. kaupeka Sainchez, 2005, but differs distinctly in the polyp ovals with large and compound protuberances （vs. small and simple conical protuberances） and the medullar spindles possessing simple conical protuberances （vs. compound protuberances）. Moreover, P. rubra sp. nov. differs from P. kaupeka in the smaller length/ width ratio of surface radiates （1.53 vs. 1.75 ）. The genetic distance of the mtMutS gene between P. rubra sp. nov. and P. kaupeka is 0.66%, while the intraspecific distances within Paragorgia Milne-Edwards ＆ Haime, 1857 except the species P. regalis complex are no more than 0.5%, further supporting the establishment of the new species. Furthermore, the ITS2 secondary structure ofP. rubra sp. nov. is also different from those of congeners. Phylogenetic analyses indicate Paragorgia rubra sp. nov. and P. kaupeka form a clade, which branched early within Paragorgia and diversified approximately 15 Mya.

Paragorgia papillata sp.nov.,a new bubblegum coral(Octocorallia:Paragorgiidae)from a seamount in the tropical Western Pacific

A new species of bubblegum coral,Paragorgia papillata sp.nov.,discovered from a seamount located on the Caroline Ridge at the water depth of 858 m,is studied using morphological and molecular approaches.The new gorgonian is white-colored,uniplanar with prominent autozooids,and measures about670-mm high and 690-mm wide.The genetic distance and phylogenetic analysis showed that P.papillata sp.nov.was closely related to P.coralloides Bayer,1993,but the former differs morphologically from the latter by its prominent calyces(diameter 2.0-4.0 mm and height 1.5-3.0 mm vs.both diameter and height about 1 mm),white cortex(vs.pink),regular 8-radiates in surface cortex(vs.mostly 8-radiate derived globular radiates)and highly ornate medullar spindles(length 185-400μm vs.no more than 150μm).P.papillata sp.nov.is the third known white-colored species of the genus,and the fifth species found in the tropical Western Pacific.

New Anti-HSV-1 Guaiane Lactone from Hainan Gorgonian Echinomuricea indomalaccensis

A new highly oxygenated guaiane lactone 5-epi-menverin C(1),along with four known compounds including one ses-quiterpene(2)and three steroids(3-5),were isolated from gorgonian Echinomuricea indomalaccensis which were collected from the South China Sea.Through anlyzing the NMR data and comparing with other reported compounds,their structures were determined.The absolute configuration of compound 1 was determined by comparing its experimental ECD with that obtained by calculation.In a bioassay in vitro,5-epi-menverin C(1)displayed antiviral activity against the HSV-1 virus with an inhibition rate of 69.2%(c=25μmol L−1).

Sesquiterpenoids from a South China Sea gorgonian Menella sp.

To investigate the chemical constituents of a South China Sea gorgonian Menella sp., the isolation of ingredients was performed by solvent extraction and repeated chromatography on silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and preparative TLC. The structures of isolated compounds were determined by spectroscopic analysis and comparison of 1H and 13C NMR data with those reported inliteratures. Three subergorane sesquiterpenoids and one suberosane sesquiterpenoid were isolated. Their structures were identified as subergorgic acid （1）, subergorgic acid methyl ester （2）, 2β-hydroxyl subergorgic acid methyl ester （3）, and suberosenol A （4）. All compounds were isolated from the genus Menella for the first time.

Antimicrobial Aromatic Polyketides from Gorgonian- Associated Fungus, Penicillium commune 518

Seven new aromatic polyketides, communols A-G （1-7）, were isolated and identified from the fermentation broth of Penicillium commune 518, a marine-derived fungus associated with the Gorgonian, Muricella abnormalis. The new structures of 1-7 were determined by spectroscopic analysis and X-ray single crystal diffraction. Among them, communol D （4） was the first example of a naturally occurring aromatic polyketide with a sulfoxide group from marine thngi. Compounds 1, 6, and 7 all showed moderate antimicrobial activities against Escherichia coli and Enterobacter aerogenes with MIC values of 4.1/16.4, 6.4/25.8, and 23.8/23.8μmoloL^-1, respectively.

Terpenoids from a Chinese Gorgonian Anthogorgia sp. and Their Antifouling Activities

Chemical examination of a Chinese gorgonian Anthogorgia sp. resulted in the isolation of seven terpenoids, including two new compounds, an rearranged serrulatane-type diterpenoid anthogorgiene P （1） and a guaiazuenebased terpenoid anthogorgiene Q （2）. Anthogorgiene P （1） contains an unprecedented cubebane nucleus which is rarely found from nature. The structures of new compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic methods （IR, UV, MS, CD and NMR）. Compound 7 showed potent antifouling activity against the larval settlement of Balanus amphitrite, while 1 and 4 possessed moderate inhibition.