Fluorescent metabolites in coral reefs off Townsville, Queensland

Abstract

This study of low molecular weight fluorescent compounds in coral reef environments (Davies, Keeper and Britomart Reefs) of the Great Barrier Reef of Australia at the latitude of Townsville, Queensland, shows that these compounds are more concentrated in the immediate vicinity of coral reefs and that differences in concentrations are related to the morphology of the reefs. Fluorescent metabolites are produced in vitro by all species of corals examined. The emission spectra of the compounds detected in the open environment and the metabolites recovered in vitro are very similar.