Isolation of a Marine Invertebrate Metamorphosis-Inducing Kairomone

Abstract

Partial isolation of a compound elaborated by the stony coral Porites compressa, which induces metamorphosis in the nudibranch Phestilla sibogae, has been achieved. The kairomone is a small (M.W.<500) neutral, water soluble molecule, of probable composition C21H23N3O2. It is obtained by freeze- drying the aqueous extract of the live coral. The resulting powder is subjected to prolonged methanol extraction, which produces an active precipitate. Desalting, followed by thin­ layer chromatography yields the active component, partially pure.