Antifouling activities of marine sedentary invertebrates on some macrofoulers

Abstract

Antifouling activities of alcohol extracts from four gorgonian species (Melitodes sp., Gorgonella sanguinolenta, Echinogorgia complexa, Acanthogorgia turgida), five soft corals [Dendronephthya sp. 1, Dendronephthya sp. 2, Dendronephthya (Roxasia) sp., Dendronephthya (Morchellana) sp., Dendronephthya (Spongodes) sp], three unidentified antipatharian species (coded as antipatharian sp. 1, antipatharian sp. 2, antipatharian sp. 3) and five sponges [Plakortis simplex, Axinella sp., Fasciospongia cavernosa, Azorica pfeifferae, Dercitopsis sp.] against cyprids of the barnacle Balanus amphitrite and green mussel Perna viridis are reported here. All the extracts examined inhibited the settlement of cyprids of B. amphitrite. Toxicity revival studies indicate that the transient presence of active extracts did not cause irreversible damage to P. viridis. The results indicate the possible potentialities of these extracts as natural non toxic antifouling agents.