Ethylacetate extracts from the gorgonian coral Subergorgia reticulata reduce larval settlement of Balanus (=Amphibalanus) reticulatus and Pinctada martensii and spore germination of Ulva linza, U. lactuca and Gracilaria tenuistipitata

Ethylacetate extract of the gorgonian coral Suberogorgia reticulata was obtained and its effects on the larval settlement by acorn barnacle Balanus (=Amphibalanus) reticulatus and pearl oyster Pinctada martensii and spore germination of green algae Ulva linza and U. lactuca and red alga Gracilaria tenuistipitata was assessed in this study. Results showed that no larval settlement or spore germination occurred at the dose of 100 mu g cm(-2). Both larval settlement and spore germination were significantly inhibited by the extract at doses of 1 mu g cm(-2) for B. reticulatus, 0.1 mu g cm(-2) for U. linza and U. lactuca, and 0.01 mu g cm(-2) for P. martensii and G. tenuistipitata. It could be concluded that the gorgonian coral S. reticulata may produce bioactive substances with a broad spectrum of activity against a range of marine sessile organisms including macroalgae and invertebrates.