Marine invertebrates

Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae is a known source of structurally interesting bioactive
metabolites. A detailed search for new, related compounds was undertaken in this study
which resulted in the isolation and characterization of more than ten new diterpenes with
serrulatane and ileabethane skeletons. Some of the new compounds isolated are closely
related terpenes with significant biological activity and others are likely to be key
biosynthetic intermediates. As a component of the development of a production method
of anti-inflammatory compounds such as seco-pseudopterosin and elisabethadione, a
synthesis of a seco-pseudoperosin aglycone from elisabethatriene was developed.

The effects of overharging ledges on subtidal macroinvertebrate
infauna was investigated in northern Broward County, Florida during
August 1976 and February 1977. At each of six stations along a
limestone outcropping, collections were made from open sand areas and
adjacent underledge areas. Organisms retained on a 0.5mm screen were
collected and identified. Although open sand and underledge areas
yielded essentially the same species, faunal densities were consistently
and conspicuously lower in the latter sites. Differences were probably
a result of current activity as it affected detritovores and filter
feeding organisms.