Nutrition and biochemistry of anaerobic Chytridiomycetes.

The nutrition and biochemistry of anaerobic Chytridiomycetes is at present poorly understood. Data has been obtained principally from studies of rumen isolates of Neocallimastix spp. grown in vitro. Our knowledge of the nutrition of Neocallimastix is summarised. Current information on glycolysis and fermentation product generation via cystosolic and hydrogenosomal systems, production of enzymes involved in plant cell wall hydrolysis, lipid metabolism and the role of Chytridiomycetes in ruminal proteolysis is discussed. At present this is insufficient to provide useful phylogenetic information.