On the Digestion of Higher Carbohydrates by Mollusca. (Dolabella scapula and Teredo sp.)

Abstract

In the digestive system of Dolabella scapula, cellulase was detected in gastric teeth and digestive juice both in stomach and intestine, but not in salivary gland, oesophagus, mastricatory stomach, liver and intestine (Tab. II and Fig. I). The opt. pH of Dolabella cellulase was 5.1 (Fig. III). Gastric teeth in mastricatory stomach possesses also alginase, xylanase and amylase (Tab. III), and it seems to do similar function as the crystalline style of, Lamellibranchia and few Gastropoda. The liver of ship-worm (Teredo sp.) was active in cellulase, alginase and xylanase.