Osidasic profiles in the digestive tract of some omnivorous and herbivorous continental fishes of French Guiana

Abstract

A study of the osidasic profile in the digestive tract of some herbivorous fish species living in tropical freshwaters of French Guiana has been undertaken. Osidase APY-ZYM plates allowing the study of the last stages of the polyosides lysis were used. ï h e results show that Arius parkeri and Arius couma have low scores but without any staring enzymatic particularities; hfjleus ternetzi gives similar results. Compared with the species. Leporinus granti and lloplos~ernum thoracatum have more diversified and increasing scores; Il~posiomus watwata exhibits a number of striking top performances and general superiority over other species. These preliminary results are discussed according to the possible fish aptitude to digest complex glucids of the diet.