Cellulose degradation by Leucocoprinus gongylophorus, the fungus cultured by the leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens rubropilosa - PubMed (original) (raw)

Cellulose degradation by Leucocoprinus gongylophorus, the fungus cultured by the leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens rubropilosa

M Bacci Jr et al. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek. 1995.

Abstract

Leucocoprinus gongylophorus, the fungus cultured by the leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens rubropilosa, is able to degrade efficiently cellulose, microcrystaline cellulose, carboximethylcellulose, and cellobiose. Analysis of the degradation products indicate that the fungus produce extracellular beta-glucosidase, exo- and endo-glucanase. The importance of cellulose degradation to the association of fungus and ant is discussed.

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