Two novel pectenotoxins (PTXs) were detected by LC-MS in solid phase extracts of net haulstaken at Fl
devigen, Norway, in June 2002 that were dominated by
Dinophysis acuminataand
Dinophysis norvegica. The new compounds were isolated as minor components from alarge collection of a
Dinophysis acuta-dominated bloom obtained from Skjer, Sognefjorden,Norway, in October 2002. LC-MS and NMR analyses revealed that the new components, 36
S-PTX-12 and 36
R-PTX-12, occurred as a pair of equilibrating diastereoisomers differing fromPTX-2 in that they contained an exocylic olefinic methylene rather than a methyl group atC-38. Analyses of shellfish extracts revealed that PTX-12 accumulated in Norwegian bluemussels (
Mytilus edulis) and cockles (
Cerastoderma edule), along with PTX-12 seco acidsoccurring as a complex mixture of diastereoisomers. LC-MS analysis of algal cells picked fromthe net haul from Fl
devigen revealed that PTX-12 predominated in
D. acuta and
D. norvegica,whereas PTX-2 was the predominant pectenotoxin in
D. acuminata. Preliminary observationsindicate that the relative contents of PTX-2 and PTX-12 vary between sites and years inNorway, even within a single species of
Dinophysis. Our data also suggest that heterotrophicdinoflagellates may accumulate toxins from their prey.