when expressing the results obtained by diferent enzmymatic activities determination in terms of mL of extract, we found that D.cephalotes has a significantly greater amylase activity and also a greater protease activity than p. the activity values of trypisn and chymotrypsin are also higher in d., although not significantly. however, for the lipase activity there are no differences between the species. the soluble protein content is significantly higher in d. 1 shows the specific activities (expressed in terms of mg of protein content ) of protease, amylase and lipase. the differences between species are still significant for amylase activity. total protease activity is still higher in d., whereas p. has a significantly higher lipase activity. we found no differences in the activities of trypsin and chimotrypsin between the two species 2 3 shows the protease activity obtained at different pH. we found a significant higher specific protease activity at H 9 in d. furthermore there is a significantly differ relation in amylase/protease and amylase/lipase between both species, being in d. 4.
the analyis of the gut contents 2 shows that p. ingests a higher mean quantity of food than d.(41% and 23% absolute content, respectively) but a lower diversity of items.