Detection of methanogenic archaea associated with rumen ciliate protozoa (original) (raw)

The loss of dietary energy through methanogenesis in ruminants contributes to global warming, prompting research into methods to reduce methane emissions. This study investigates the relationship between methanogenic archaea and rumen ciliate protozoa by isolating these organisms from monofaunated sheep and identifying them through 16S rDNA sequence analysis. The results reveal that the methanogens associated with ruminal ciliates predominantly belong to the family Methanobacteriaceae, with significant similarities to known species, underscoring the specific roles of different protozoal species in methane production.