Biochemical studies on of ecological function of meiobenthos

为了确定日本西南岛屿红树林河口的纤维素降解过程，对冲绳本岛（格西河和万子河）、石垣岛（长仓湾和宫原河）和Iriomote岛（浦内河、Mare河、日奈河、Shira河和Maira河）共9个地点的沉积物纤维素酶活性进行了检测。酶谱分析记录了所有沉积物样品和小底栖生物的纤维素酶活性。一个27 kda的纤维素酶活性带在小底栖动物中表达，包括Gammaridea、Turbellaria、介形虫目、寡毛纲、线虫目和多毛纲。而在除冲绳本岛外的这些地区广泛分布的大型底栖动物红树螺（Terebralia palustris）的纤维素酶活性分别为29、31、49和56 kDa。有趣的是，在沉积物和粪便中都记录了31 kda的纤维素酶活性水平。本研究结果表明，不同的底栖动物参与了日本西南群岛河口红树林沉积物中纤维素的降解。

To determine the process of cellulose degradation in mangrove estuaries of the South-Western Islands, Japan, the cellulase activity of sediments was examined at a total of 9 sites on Okinawa Main Island (the River Gesashi and Manko), Ishigaki Island (Nagura Gulf and River Miyara), and Iriomote Island (rivers Urauchi, Mare, Hinai, Shira and Maira). Zymographic analysis was used to record cellulase activity in all sediment samples and in the meiobenthos. A 27-kDa cellulase activity band was expressed by several animal groups examined in the meiobenthos, including Gammaridea, Turbellaria, Ostracoda, Oligochaeta, Nematoda, and Polychaeta. However, the mangrove whelk, Terebralia palustris, which is a widely distributed member of the macrobenthos in these areas except Okinawa Main Island, expressed cellulase activities at 29, 31, 49, and 56 kDa. Interestingly, 31-kDa cellulase activity levels were recorded both in sediments and in the feces of T. palustris. The results of this study indicate that various benthic animals contribute to cellulose degradation in mangrove sediments of estuaries in the Southwestern Japanese Islands.