Microbial Fermentation in the Hindguts of Two Stream Detritivores

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Abstract
The role of hindgut microorganisms in the nutrition of stream detritivores was evaluated by examining the production, transport, and utilization acetate derived from hingut microbial fermentation. Incubations of detritivore hinguts demonstrated linear rates of acetate production in Tipula abdominalis and Pycnopsyche guttifer (i.e., 14.4 and 19.4 .mu.mol/g hindgut, respectively). In T. abdominalis, in vivo transport of acetate from the hindgut proceeded rapidly with 45% of the hindgut acetate transported in 1 hr. Hemolymph acetate was rapidly metabolized (i.e., within 4 hr) to tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates, indicating typical routes of aerobic respiratory metabolism. Overall, acetate produced within the hindguts of these detritivores could account for approximately 5-16% of larval respiratory demand.

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