Abstract
The faecal fluid of the leaf-cutting ant, Atta colombica tonsipes, has been shown to contain enzymes active in the degradation of pectin, sodium polypectate, xylan, and carboxymethylcellulose. In addition, glycosidase activity has been detected in the faecal fluid using various naturally occurring disaccharides and synthetic p-nitrophenyl glycosides as substrates. The importance of these enzymes in the symbiosis between A. c. tonsipes and its food fungus is discussed, with particular emphasis on the rôle of the pectin-degrading enzymes.
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