Abstract
Ethanol and water extracts of maple leaves and pine needles were analyzed for proteins, amino acids, sugars and phenolics. Leachates were mixed with a dissolved fungal cellulase. Within 24 h, insoluble particles formed, consisting of phenolics, proteins and amino acids. When exposed to an alkaline pH, or to a 0.04% solution of the surfactant lysolecithin, these particles released amino acids and proteins. Surface tensions of the gut fluids of Gammarus tigrinus and Tipula caloptera were considerably lower than that of distilled water, suggesting the presence of surfactants. Gut fluid of T. caloptera contained enzymes capable of digesting the proteins of particles formed with maple water extracts. The other particles did not appear susceptible to these enzymes. There was no evidence that G. tigrinus was able to digest the proteins of any of the particles examined.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bärlocher, F., 1985. The role of fungi in the nutrition of stream invertebrates. Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 91: 83–94.
Bärlocher, F. & C. W. Porter, 1986. Digestive enzymes and feeding strategies of three stream invertebrates. J.N. Am. Benthol. Soc. 5: 58–66.
Bernays, E. A., 1981. Plant tannins and insect herbivores: an appraisal. Ecol. Entomol. 6: 353–360.
Bio-Rad, 1977. Bio-Rad protein assay. Technical Bulletin 1051. Bio-Rad Laboratories, Richmond, California, 18 pp.
Bird, G. A. & N. K. Kaushik, 1981. Coarse particulate organic matter in streams. In Lock, M. A. & D. D. Williams (eds), Perspectives in running water ecology. Plenum Press, New York: 41–68.
Bowen, S. H., 1984. Evidence of a detritus food chain based on consumption of organic precipitates. Bull. mar. Sci. 35: 440–448.
Collatz, K.-G. & T. Mommsen, T., 1974. Die Struktur der emulgierenden Substanzen verschiedener Invertebraten. J. comp. Physiol. 94: 339–352.
Ferguson, A., 1943. Surface tension and its measurement. Endeavor 2: 34–38.
Iversen, T. M., 1973. Decomposition of autumn-shed beech leaves in a springbrook and its significance for the fauna. Arch. Hydrobiol. 72: 305–312.
Kaushik, N. K. & H. B. N., Hynes, 1971. The fate of dead leaves that fall into stream. Arch. Hydrobiol. 68: 465–515.
Lock, M. A., 1981. River epilithon — a light and organic energy transducer. In Lock, M. A. & D. D. Williams (eds), Perspectives in running water ecology. Plenum Press, New York: 3–40.
Martin, M. M. & J. S. Martin, 1984. Surfactants: their role in preventing the precipitation of proteins by tannins in insect guts. Oecologia (Berlin) 61: 342–345.
Melillo, J. M., J. D. Aber & A. E. Linkins, 1984. Factors controlling mass loss and nitrogen dynamics of plant litter in northern streams. Bull. mar. Sci. 35: 341–356.
Nelson, N., 1944. A photometric adaptation of the Somogyi method for the determination of glucose. J. biol. Chem. 153: 375–380.
Odum, W. E., P. W. Kirk & J. C. Zieman, 1979. Non-protein nitrogen compounds associated with particles of vascular plant detritus. Oikos 32: 363–367.
Rice, D. L., 1982. The detritus nitrogen problem: new observations and perspectives from organic geochemistry. Mar. Ecol. 9: 153–162.
Rosen, H., 1957. A modified Ninhydrin colorimetric analysis for amino acids. Arch. Bioch. Biophys. 67: 10–15.
Rosset, J., F., Bärlocher a J. J. Oertli, 1982. Decomposition of conifer needles and leaf litter in two Black Forest and two Swiss Jura streams. Int. Rev. ges. Hydrobiol. 67: 695–711.
Somogyi, M., 1952. Notes on sugar determination. J. biol. Chem. 195: 19–23.
Suberkropp, K., G. L. Godshalk & M. J. Klug, 1976. Changes in the chemical composition of leaves during processing in a woodland stream. Ecology 57: 720–727.
Swain, T., 1979. Tannins and lignins. In: Rosenthal, G. A. and D. H. Janzen (eds), Herbivores: their interactions with secondary plant metabolites. Academic press, New York: 657–682.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bärlocher, F., Tibbo, P.G. & Christie, S.H. Formation of phenol-protein complexes and their use by two stream invertebrates. Hydrobiologia 173, 243–249 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00008971
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00008971