Abstract.
To obtain information on the diversity of ruminal methanogens in grazing animals, three ruminal methanogens from grazing cattle were characterized and identified. Two of the isolates were rod-shaped, with one staining Gram-positive and being non-motile (BRM9), and the other (BRM16) staining Gram-negative and being motile. These isolates grew only on H2/CO2 and formate, and optimally at 38°C and pH 6.5–7.0. The third isolate (CM1) was non-motile, pseudosarcina-shaped, and grew on H2/CO2, acetate, and methyl-containing compounds, with optimal growth at 40°C and pH 6.5. DNA was prepared from the three isolates, and their 16S rRNA genes were sequenced. Phenotypic data and comparisons of nearly complete 16S rDNA sequences showed that BRM9, BRM16, and CM1 are strains of Methanobacterium formicicum, Methanomicrobium mobile, and Methanosarcina barkeri respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first information on ruminal methanogens in cattle maintained under grazing management.
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Received: 26 October 1999 / Accepted: 22 November 1999
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Jarvis, G., Strömpl, C., Burgess, D. et al. Isolation and Identification of Ruminal Methanogens from Grazing Cattle. Curr Microbiol 40, 327–332 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002849910065
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002849910065