Terpenoid metabolites of the nudibranch Hexabranchus sanguineus from the South China Sea

Chemical analysis of the secondary metabolite pattern of the nudibranch Hexabranchus sanguineus collected from the South China Sea revealed the presence of both sesquiterpenoids and diterpenoids, exhibiting very different structural features. Two new molecules, compounds 1 and 4, were isolated together with known compounds 2 and 3, and chemically characterized. This is the first report of terpenoids from H. sanguineus. The remarkable diversity of metabolites possessed by H. sanguineus supports some recent phylogenetic studies that place the mollusc near the steam of the dorid nudibranch tree.

Remarkable diversity of secondary metabolites from Hexabranchus sanguineus suggests some cues on studying evolutionary trends in dorid nudibranchs.