Amylase, cellulase and protease activities in surface and gut tissues ofDendraster excentricus, Pisaster ochraceus andStrongylocentrotus droebachiensis (Echinodermata)

Abstract

In general, variance in tissue hydrolase (amylase, cellulase and protease) activity between individuals of a particular species is as great or greater than variance between tissue types or between species, e.g. although the specific activity of amylase in the gut tissue ofDendraster excentricus is significantly lower than that of aboral surface tissue, it is not significantly different than that of the oral surface tissue, or of the aboral surface of eitherPisaster ochraceus orStrongylocentrotus droebachiensis. Cellulase activity of the gut tissue ofS. droebachiensis was significantly higher than that of the gut tissue ofP. ochraceus andD. excentricus, reflecting the omnivorous feeding habit of the sea urchin. Cellulase activity of the gut tissue ofD. excentricus was not significantly higher than inP. ochraceus, an unexpected result, given the highly carnivorous behavior of the latter. Protease activity of the gut tissue ofD. excentricus is significantly higher than that of the oral or aboral surface tissues, but not significantly higher than that of the gut tissues ofP. ochraceus orS. droebachiensis. Amylase and cellulase activities in the guts of detritus- and shrimp-fedD. excentricus showed significant increases over that of field individuals; protease activity displayed no significant increase. Some significant surface (oral and aboral) changes were noted with respect to hydrolase activity, but the direction and lack of consistency of the changes argues that these are incidental to the process of digestion. The lack of significant differences in the surface enzyme activity ofD. excentricus, P. ochraceus andS. droebachiensis suggests that macronutrient digestive events in surface tissues are not uniquely important inD. excentricus.