Author Type

Faculty

Document Type

Report

Abstract

This report summarizes the results of a research expedition conducted by Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution (HBOI), Division of Biomedical Marine Research (DBMR) at Bootless Bay, Papua New Guinea, January 22-31, 1994. The marine fauna and flora were surveyed and sampled by scuba diving and snorkeling at 19 sites which consisted of fringing reefs, patch reefs, deep water pinnacles, shallow reef and sand flats, mangroves, and seagrass beds.

A total of 506 samples of marine organisms were collected, including 295 sponges, 89 octocorals, 35 tunicates, 14 echinoderms, and 60 algae. At least three species of sponges may be new species, previously undescribed. Each sample was documented with underwater or laboratory photographs, taxonomic museum specimens, and a computerized database that included detailed site and sample descriptions.

Crude extracts of 364 samples were processed through eight assays to test for compounds with biological activity. For the whole cell assays, 16.8% of the samples were active in the A549 human lung cancer cell line and 15.4% tested positive in the P388 murine leukemia cell 1ine. For the target enzyme assays, 2.5% were active in ApN, 1.9% in CD45, 1.4% in cdc25A, and none were active in the CaN, LAR, and DPP IV assays. Samples will continue to be used in Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution's program to discover biologically active novel compounds that may be applied in the long term to the development of therapeutic agents for human diseases.

Duplicate museum specimens and photographs of each specimen were provided to the Motupore Island Research Department (MIRD) of the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) for permanent curation. Copies of this Final Report and the Preliminary Report were provided to MIRD and UPNG.

Publication Date

3-25-1997

Comments

Florida Atlantic University Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Technical Report #81

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