Rectal enzymes of attine ants. [alpha]-Amylase and chitinase

Abstract

The faecal material of seven species of attine ants from the genera Cyphomyrmex, Apterostigma, Myrmicocrypta, Sericomyrmex, and Atta has been shown to contain [alpha]-amylase and chitinase, but only a trace of uricase. Chitinase probably serves a beneficial role in the fungus-culturing activities of the primitive forms by contributing to the degradation of chitinous substrates, such as insect cuticle, and by lysing potentially competitive chitinous fungi. Biochemical factors significant in the evolution of the fungus-growing ants are discussed.