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Methanobrevibacter Phylotypes are the Dominant Methanogens in Sheep from Venezuela

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Abstract

Rumen methanogens in sheep from Venezuela were examined using 16S rRNA gene libraries and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) profiles prepared from pooled and individual PCR products from the rumen contents from 10 animals. A total of 104 clones were examined, revealing 14 different 16S rRNA gene sequences or phylotypes. Of the 14 phylotypes, 13 (99 of 104 clones) belonged to the genus Methanobrevibacter, indicating that the genus Methanobrevibacter is the most dominant component of methanogen populations in sheep in Venezuela. The largest group of clones (41 clones) was 97.9–98.5% similar to Methanobrevibacter gottschalkii. Two sequences were identified as possible new species, one belonging to the genus Methanobrevibacter and the other belonging to the genus Methanobacterium. DGGE analysis of the rumen contents from individual animals also revealed 14 different bands with a range of 4–9 bands per animal.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Dr. Mark Morrison and Dr. Chris McSweeney (CSIRO Livestock Industries, Brisbane, Australia) for their critical comments on this manuscript. Part of this research was supported by FONACIT (Project: BID-FONACIT 26231), Venezuela.

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Author notes

  1. André-Denis G. Wright

    Present address: CSIRO Livestock Industries, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, 306 Carmody Road, St. Lucia, QLD, 4067, Australia

  2. Xuanli Ma

    Present address: Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia

  3. Nestor E. Obispo

    Present address: Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agrícolas, Apartado de Correo 4653, Maracay, Aragua, Venezuela

Authors and Affiliations

  1. CSIRO Livestock Industries, Centre for Environment and Life Sciences, Private Bag 5, Wembley, WA, 6913, Australia

    André-Denis G. Wright, Xuanli Ma & Nestor E. Obispo

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  1. André-Denis G. Wright
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  2. Xuanli Ma
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Correspondence to André-Denis G. Wright.

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Wright, AD.G., Ma, X. & Obispo, N.E. Methanobrevibacter Phylotypes are the Dominant Methanogens in Sheep from Venezuela. Microb Ecol 56, 390–394 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-007-9351-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-007-9351-x

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