Diterpenes - what are they?

July 3, 2002
From: Virginie Fruh

Hi!
Can anyone let me know what role terpenes or diterpenes have in an opisthobranch's ecology? Are they aromatic compounds which allow opisthobranchs to communicate? Or are they pigments?
Thanks!
Virginie Früh

v_fruh@hotmail.com

Fruh, V., 2002 (Jul 3) Diterpenes - what are they?. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/7410

Dear Virginie,
Terpenes and diterpenes belong to a group of molecules produced by many plants and animals. The noxious nature of these molecules makes them important antifeedant agents. Many opisthobranchs remove these molecules from their food and incorporate them into their own defence system, either through glandular secretions or by concentrating them into vulnerable parts of their body. 'Recycled' molecules like this are known as Secondary metabolites and they form an important role in many opisthobranch defence strategies. An excellent review is Avila (1995). Also have a look at the following pages for further information and links:
Soft Corals - Chemical Defence
Defence mechanisms
Chemical Ecology

• Avila, C. (1995) Natural Products of Opisthobranch molluscs: a Biological Review. Oceanography and Marine Biology, Annual Review, 33: 487-559.

Cheers,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2002 (Jul 3). Comment on Diterpenes - what are they? by Virginie Fruh. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/7410

Factsheet

Chemical ecology

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