Five new spongian diterpenoids 1−5 have
been isolated from the mollusk Glossodoris
atromarginata along with four known related metabolites
(6−9). The structures were
solved
by extensive spectroscopic analysis and chemical correlation. The
absolute stereochemistry of
compound 2 was determined by Mosher's method. A
dietary origin is inferred for all these
molecules on the basis of their structural analogies with known sponge
metabolites, but their
transfer from the digestive glands to the dorsal skin suggests a
defensive role to thwart
predation.
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