Abstract
HOBSON1 showed that glycerol and/or dried preparations of the gut and salivary glands of Lucilia sericata Meig. showed strong proteinase activity but very little carbohydrase activity, only starch being hydrolysed, whereas maltose, sucrose and lactose were not hydrolysed at all. Since that report, these results have been quoted2 to support the plausible example of adaptation, wherein larval and adult blow-flies are assumed to possess digestive ability corresponding to their diet. Thus larvæ feeding on a protein-rich diet are adequately provided for because the gut shows strong proteolytic activity and the lack of carbohydrases is of no consequence. The reverse picture is presented in adult blow-flies which feed principally on carbohydrates; very active carbohydrases are present but only relatively weak proteinases.
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References
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EVANS, W., MARSDEN, J. Carbohydrases in Blow-fly Larvæ. Nature 177, 478 (1956). https://doi.org/10.1038/177478a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/177478a0
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