Localisation of the amathamide alkaloids in surface bacteria of Amathia wilsoni Kirkpatrick, 1888 (Bryozoa: Ctenostomata)

The marine bryozoan Amathia wilsoni contains several brominated secondary metabolites, the alkaloid amathamides A–F. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis coupled with scanning electron microscopy was used to localise bromine in sections of Amathia wilsoni. Bromine concentrations higher than background levels were only found on the surface of the bryozoan and not within any of the different internal cell types. The correlation between bromine levels and a rod-shaped bacterium, ubiquitous to the tip region, points to the bacterium being closely associated with the range of amathamides found in Amathia wilsoni.