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Microorganisms and Cellulose Digestion in the Gut of the Woodlouse Porcellio scaber

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Abstract

In the common woodlouse Porcellio scaber different parts of the gut were observed with respect to microbial counts, cellulose activity, and degradation of cellulose. Cellulose is mainly digested in the anterior part of the hindgut, as was indicated by the distribution of cellulolytic activity and the decrease of cellulose content inside the gut. The cellulases woodlice utilize for the degradation of litter are mainly produced by endosymbiotic bacteria in the hepatopancreas rather than by microorganisms ingested with the food. Microorganisms ingested with the litter are digested in the anterior part of the hindgut and may provide an important food source. In the posterior hindgut, bacterial proliferation ensures microbial colonization of feces.

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  1. Department of Zoology–Physiological Ecology, University of Cologne, Weyertal 119, D-50931, Köln, Germany

    Martin Zimmer & Werner Topp

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  1. Martin Zimmer
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  2. Werner Topp
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Zimmer, M., Topp, W. Microorganisms and Cellulose Digestion in the Gut of the Woodlouse Porcellio scaber . J Chem Ecol 24, 1397–1408 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021235001949

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