A comparison of α- and β-glucanase activities in fourteen species of marine molluscs

Fourteen species of marine molluscs collected from Naples Bay were compared in terms of α-amylase, dextranase, cellulase and laminarase activities. The distribution of these glucanase activities, in general, seems to be unrelated with the feeding habits of the species examined. However, the presence of both the β-glucanase activities in most of the carnivorous species strengthens the view of a common origin from a remote herbivorous stock.