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1. The phospholipid fatty acid compositions of the sponges Ircinia strobilina, Ircinia felix, Ircinia campana, Ircinia sp., Spongia tubulifera and Dysidea etherea were studied, revealing the presence, besides other common fatty acids, of considerable amounts (2-5%) of the novel 23-methyl-5,9-tetracosadienoic acid (1). 2. The demospongic acids 5,9-tetracosadienoic acid, 23-methyl-5,9-tetracosadienoic acid (1), and 5,9-pentacosadienoic acid, were particularly abundant in sponges of the genus Ircinia, in contrast to the most common 5,9-hexacosadienoic acid found in other species. These findings are discussed in terms of the taxonomy of the Dictyoceratida. 3. The complete characterization of the novel phospholipid fatty acid 23-methyl-5,9-tetracosadienoic acid (1) is presented.

1. The sterol composition of the marine sponge Aplysina archeri was studied revealing the presence, besides other common sterols, of considerable amounts (75%) of aplysterol (1), verongulasterol (3), and 25-dehydroaplysterol (4). 2. 24,28-Didehydroaplysterol (2) was not present in the sterol mixture as it was previously reported for the Verongidae. 3. A comparison between the characteristic sterols of the Verongidae was carried out.