Microbiological Studies on the Decomposition of Chitin in Marine Environment-V

Abstract

A considerable number of chitinoclastic bacteria were found in the digestive tracts of marine animals which ingest chitinous food (octopus, squid and fish). These bacteria increase in percentage in the intestinal flora and are, of importance in digesting chitinous food for the animal.However, the possibility of symbiosis by chitinoclastic bacteria in aiding the marine animals for the digestion of chitin may be negligible from the point of view of the importance of mechanical aid provided for digesting food and the small supply of products produced during chitin decomposition.The possibility of symbiosis may be considered primarily for the supply of vitamines and other products secreted by the chitinoclastic bacteria to the hosts.