Abstract
THE question of the presence or absence of a chitinase in Limnoria is of interest for two reasons. First, if a chitinase were present, chitin could serve as a principal nitrogen source. Ray and Julian1 and Ray2 have shown that Limnoria, which eats wood, can break down cellulose to glucose, and can therefore utilize wood as a source of energy. However, it is not yet known what source of nitrogen Limnoria utilizes because wood contains so little. One possible nitrogen source is chitin, present in cell walls of fungi growing in wood and often eaten with the wood3, and present in the animal's exuviæ, which it may eat.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Ray, D. L., and Julian, J. R., Nature, 169, 32 (1952).
Ray, D. L., Amer. Wood Pres. Assoc., Proc., 54, 120 (1958).
Becker, G., Proc. Friday Harbor Symp., 62 (1959).
Ray, D. L., Proc. Friday Harbor Symp., 372 (1959).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
STEVENSON, J. Absence of Chitinase in Limnoria . Nature 190, 463 (1961). https://doi.org/10.1038/190463a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/190463a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.