Cellulolytic Bacteria in Marine Wood Borers

Abstract

Four wood borers (Sphaeroma terebrans, S. annandalei, Martesia striata and Teredo furcifera) were collected from four stations (Akathumuri, Edava Nadayara, Neendakara and Ashtamudi) of Kerala Coast. The cellulolytic bacterial population in S.terebrans during different seasons were investigated. Maximum population was recorded during monsoon season in the hind gut region. Samples from Ashtamudi and Akathumuri recorded the maximum cellulolytic bacteria in S. terebrans. Similarly a survey of the cellulolytic bacteria in different wood-borers collected from Ashtamudi revealed that M. striata harboured the maximum cellulolytic bacteria and S. annandalei showed the minimum population. Bacterial isolates randomly selected, exhibited maximum cellulolytic activity of 350pg glu.mHh"1 in Micrococcus (AQB Th3) isolated frcm S. terebrans and minimum, 37]jg glu.mHh"1 in Corynebacterium (AQB Th2) isolated from S. annandalei. The enzyme activity in the mouth and viscera of wood borers was investigated. It was noted that maximum cellulolytic activity was in the mouth region though not low in the visceral region.