Skip to main content

A Quantitative Survey of Mycosporine-Like Amino Acids (MAAS) in Intertidal Egg Masses from Temperate Rocky Shores

Journal of Chemical Ecology volume 31, pages 2417–2438 (2005)Cite this article

Abstract

Mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) have been reported as functional chemical sunscreens in a variety of marine organisms, but their role in development of marine embryos and larvae remains largely unexplored. In this study, we quantified MAAs from intertidal egg masses of 46 species of mollusks, two species of polychaetes, and one species of fish from southeastern Australia. We aimed to elucidate potential patterns of occurrence and variation based on egg mass maturity, adult diet, spawning habitat, phylogeny, and viability. Our analyses revealed that maturity and spawning habitat did not affect MAA composition within egg masses. In contrast, adult diet, phylogeny, and viability affected MAA composition. Herbivores had higher levels of certain MAAs than carnivores; similarly, viable egg masses had higher levels of some MAAs than inviable ones. MAA composition varied according to the taxonomic group, with nudibranchs and anaspids showing different MAA composition compared to that of neogastropods, sacoglossans, and polychaetes. Basommatophoran egg masses had more porphyra-334 than the other taxa, and anaspids had more mycosporine-2-glycine than the other groups. MAAs occurred in relatively high concentrations in intertidal molluskan egg masses when compared to adult mollusks and other common intertidal organisms. Despite the complexity of factors affecting MAA composition, the prevalence of MAAs in some species is consistent with protection afforded to offspring against negative effects of UV radiation.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

43,34 €

Price includes VAT (Finland)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

References

  • N. L. Adams J. M. Shick (1996) ArticleTitleMyscosporine-like amino acids provide protection against ultraviolet radiation in eggs of the green sea urchin Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis Photochem. Photobiol. 64 149–158

    Google Scholar 

  • N. L. Adams J. M. Shick (2001) ArticleTitleMycosporine-like amino acids prevent UVB-induced abnormalities during early development of the green sea urchin Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis Mar. Biol. 138 267–280 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s002270000463

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • N. L. Adams J. M. Shick W. C. Dunlap (2001) ArticleTitleSelective accumulation of mycosporine-like amino acids in ovaries of the green sea urchin Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis is not affected by ultraviolet radiation Mar. Biol. 138 281–294 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s002270000464

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • A. T. Banaszak M. P. Lesser I. B. Kuffner M. Ondrusek (1998) ArticleTitleRelationship between ultraviolet (UV) radiation and mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) in marine organisms Bull. Mar. Sci. 63 617–628

    Google Scholar 

  • W. M. Bandaranayake (1998) ArticleTitleMycosporines: Are they nature's sunscreens? Nat. Prod. Rep. 15 159–172 Occurrence Handle10.1039/a815159y Occurrence Handle9586224

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Beesley, P. L., Ross, G. L. B., Wells, A. (eds.). 1998. Mollusca: The Southern Synthesis. Fauna of Australia, Part B. CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne.

  • Benkendorff, K. 1999. Bioactive molluscan resources and their conservation: Biological and chemical studies on the egg masses of marine molluscs. PhD dissertation. University of Wollongong, Australia.

  • K. Benkendorff A. R. Davis (2004) ArticleTitleGastropod egg mass deposition on a temperate, wave-exposed coastline in New South Wales, Australia: Implications for intertidal conservation Aquat. Conserv. 14 263–280 Occurrence Handle10.1002/aqc.604

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R. Bentley (1990) ArticleTitleThe shikimate pathway: A metabolic tree with many branches Crit. Rev. Biochem. Mol. Biol. 25 307–384 Occurrence Handle2279393

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • C. R. Booth J. J. Morrow (1997) ArticleTitleThe penetration of UV into natural waters Photochem. Photobiol. 65 254–275

    Google Scholar 

  • I. Bosch P. Janes R. Schack B. Steves D. Karentz (1994) ArticleTitleSurvey of UV-absorbing compounds in sub-tropical sea urchins from Florida and Bahamas Am. Zool. 34 102A

    Google Scholar 

  • B. BÜdel U. Karsten F. Garcia-Pichel (1997) ArticleTitleUltraviolet-absorbing scytonemin and mycosporine-like amino acid derivatives in exposed, rock-inhabiting cyanobacterial lichens Oecologia 112 165–172 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s004420050296

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • T. H. Carefoot M. Harris B. E. Taylor D. Donovan D. Karentz (1998) ArticleTitleMycosporine-like amino acids: Possible UV protection in eggs of the sea hare Aplysia dactylomela Mar. Biol. 130 389–396 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s002270050259

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • T. H. Carefoot D. Karentz S. Pennings C. Young (2000) ArticleTitleDistribution of mycosporine-like amino acids in the sea hare Aplysia dactylomela: Effects of diet on amounts and types sequestered over time in tissues and spawn Comp. Biochem. Physiol. C 126 91–104

    Google Scholar 

  • D. B. Carlini J. D. Regan (1995) ArticleTitlePhotolyase activities of Elysia tuca, Bursatella leachii, and Haminaea antillarum (Mollusca: Opisthobranchia) J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 189 219–232 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0022-0981(95)00195-W

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • C. S. Cockell J. Knowland (1999) ArticleTitleUltraviolet radiation screening compounds Biol. Rev. 74 311–345 Occurrence Handle10.1017/S0006323199005356 Occurrence Handle10466253

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • J. M. Diamond (1986) ArticleTitleClones within a coral reef Nature 323 109 Occurrence Handle10.1038/323109a0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • W. C. Dunlap B. E. Chalker (1986) ArticleTitleIdentification and quantitation of near-UV absorbing compounds (S-320) in a hermatypic scleractinian Coral Reefs 5 155–159 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF00298182

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • W. C. Dunlap Y. Yamamoto (1995) ArticleTitleSmall-molecule antioxidants in marine organisms: Antioxidant activity of mycosporine–glycine Comp. Biochem. Physiol., B 112 105–114

    Google Scholar 

  • W. C. Dunlap J. M. Shick Y. Yamamoto (1999) ArticleTitleSunscreens, oxidative stress and antioxidant functions in marine organisms of the Great Barrier Reef Redox Rep. 4 301–306 Occurrence Handle10.1179/135100099101535142 Occurrence Handle10772069

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • D. F. Gleason G. M. Wellington (1995) ArticleTitleVariation in UVB sensitivity of planula larvae of the coral Agaricia agaricites along a depth gradient Mar. Biol. 123 693–703 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF00349112

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • D. P. Haeder H. D. Kumar R. C. Smith R. C. Worrest (1998) ArticleTitleEffects on aquatic ecosystems J. Photochem. Photobiol., B Biol. 46 53–68

    Google Scholar 

  • D. Karentz (2001) Chemical defenses of marine organisms against solar radiation exposure: UV-absorbing mycosporine-like amino acids and scytonemin J. McClintock B. Baker (Eds) Marine Chemical Ecology CRC Press Boca Raton 481–520

    Google Scholar 

  • D. Karentz F. S. Mceuen M. C. Land W. C. Dunlap (1991) ArticleTitleSurvey of mycosporine-like amino acid compounds in Antarctic marine organisms: Potential protection from ultraviolet exposure Mar. Biol. 108 157–166 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF01313484

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • U. Karsten T. Sawall C. Wiencke (1998) ArticleTitleA survey of the distribution of UV-absorbing substances in tropical macroalgae Phycol. Res. 46 271–279 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1440-1835.1998.00144.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J. Mcclintock D. Karentz (1997) ArticleTitleMycosporine-like amino acids in 38 species of subtidal marine organisms from McMurdo Sound, Antarctica Antarct. Sci. 4 392–398

    Google Scholar 

  • K. Michalek-Wagner (2001) ArticleTitleSeasonal and sex-specific variations in levels of photo-protecting mycosporine-like amino acides (MAAs) in soft corals Mar. Biol. 139 651–660

    Google Scholar 

  • M. Pagano E. Kouassi R. Arfi M. Bouvy L. Saint-Jean (2004) ArticleTitleIn situ spawning rate of the calanoid copepod Acartia clausi in a tropical lagoon (Ebrie, Cote d'Ivoire): Diel variations and effects of environmental factors Zool. Stud. 43 244–254

    Google Scholar 

  • N. D. Paul D. Gwynn-Jones (2003) ArticleTitleEcological roles of solar UV radiation: Towards an integrated approach Trends Ecol. Evol. 18 48–55 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0169-5347(02)00014-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J. Pechenik (1983) ArticleTitleEgg capsules of Nucella lapillus protect against low-salinity stress J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 71 165–179 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0022-0981(93)90071-U

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R. Przeslawski (2004a) ArticleTitleA review of the effects of environmental stress on embryonic development within intertidal gastropod egg masses Molluscan Res. 24 43–63 Occurrence Handle10.1071/MR04001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Przeslawski, R. 2004b. Chemical sunscreens in intertidal gastropod egg masses. J. Invertebr. Reprod. Dev.

  • R. Przeslawski A. R. Davis K. Benkendorff (2004) ArticleTitleEffects of ultraviolet radiation and visible light on the development of encapsulated molluscan embryos Mar. Ecol., Prog. Ser. 268 151–160

    Google Scholar 

  • R. A. Rose (1985) ArticleTitleThe spawn and development of 29 NSW Opisthobranchs (Mollusca: Gastrpoda) Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W. 108 23–36

    Google Scholar 

  • J. M. Shick W. C. Dunlap (2002) ArticleTitleMycosporine-like amino acids and related gadusols: Biosynthesis, accumulation, and UV-protective functions in aquatic organisms Annu. Rev. Physiol. 64 223–262 Occurrence Handle10.1146/annurev.physiol.64.081501.155802 Occurrence Handle11826269

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • J. M. Shick W. C. Dunlap J. S. Pearse V. B. Pearse (2002) ArticleTitleMycosporine-like amino acid content in four species of sea anemones in the genus anthopleura reflects phylogenetic but not environmental or symbiotic relationships Biol. Bull. 203 315–330 Occurrence Handle12480722

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • B. Smith J. Black H. Sheperd (1989) Molluscan egg masses and capsules S. A. Sheperd I. M. Thomas (Eds) Marine invertebrates of Southern Australia, Part 2 Southern Australia Government Printing Division Adelaide 841–891

    Google Scholar 

  • B. Tartarotti R. Saommaruga (2002) ArticleTitleThe effect of different methanol concentrations and temperatures on the extraction of mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) in algae and zooplankton Arch. Hydrobiol. 144 255–269

    Google Scholar 

  • B. Tartarotti I. Laurion R. Sommaruga (2001) ArticleTitleLarge variability in the concentration of mycosporine-like amino acids among zooplankton from lakes located across an altitude gradient Limnol. Oceanogr. 46 1546–1552

    Google Scholar 

  • T. Teai J. H. Drollet J.-P. Bianchini A. Cambon P. M. V. Martin (1997) ArticleTitleWidespread occurrence of mycosporine-like amino acid compounds in scleractinians from French Polynesia Coral Reefs 16 169–176 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s003380050071

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • M. Westoby M. R. Leishman J. M. Lord (1995a) ArticleTitleFurther remarks on phylogenetic correction J. Ecol. 83 727–734

    Google Scholar 

  • M. Westoby M. R. Leishman J. M. Lord (1995b) ArticleTitleOn misinterpreting the ‘phylogenetic correction’ J. Ecol. 83 531–534

    Google Scholar 

  • K. Whitehead D. Karentz J. Hedges (2001) ArticleTitleMycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) in phytoplankton, a herbivorous pteropod (Limacina helicina), and its pteropod predator (Clione antarctica) in McMurdo Bay, Antarctica Mar. Biol. 139 1013–1019 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s002270100654

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • F. Xiong J. Kopecky L. Nedbal (1999) ArticleTitleThe occurrence of UV-B absorbing mycosporine-like amino acids in freshwater and terrestrial microalgae Aquat. Bot. 63 37–49 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0304-3770(98)00106-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J. H. Zar (1998) Biostatistical Analysis Prentice-Hall Upper Saddle River

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

W. Dunlap at the Australian Institute of Marine Science generously provided guidance and facilities for MAA standard synthesis. S. Robinson assisted with HPLC analysis. Staff at the Australian Museum Fish Department helped identify the fish egg mass. This work was supported in part by a grant to R.P. from the Conchologists of America. This is contribution #257 from the Ecology and Genetics Group at the University of Wollongong.

Author information

Affiliations

  1. School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia

    R. Przeslawski & A. R. Davis

  2. School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia

    K. Benkendorff

Authors
  1. R. Przeslawski
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. K. Benkendorff
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. A. R. Davis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to R. Przeslawski.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Przeslawski, R., Benkendorff, K. & Davis, A.R. A Quantitative Survey of Mycosporine-Like Amino Acids (MAAS) in Intertidal Egg Masses from Temperate Rocky Shores. J Chem Ecol 31, 2417–2438 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-005-7110-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-005-7110-3

Key Words

  • Gastropod
  • egg mass
  • larvae
  • marine invertebrate
  • chemical sunscreen
  • intertidal
  • mycosporine–glycine