Coumarins in the Siphonalean Green Algal Family Dasycladaceae Kützing (Chlorophyceae)

Abstract
The identification of 3,6,7-trihydroxycoumarin in Dasycladus vermicularis (Scopoli) Krasser and [Cympolia barbata (L.) Harvey] of the siphonalean green algal family Dasycladaceae is described. The significance of coumarins in the Dasycladaceae is discussed as a possible 3-fold protective function: epiphytic growth regulation and antimicrobialdefense, antifeedant effect and, in connection with recent findings on plug formation in the siphonalean green algae, rigidification of the plug''s structure.