Molecular identification of methanogenic archaea from Surti buffaloes (bubalus bubalis), reveals more hydrogenotrophic methanogens phylotypes

Abstract

Methane emissions from ruminant livestock are considered to be one of the more potent forms of greenhouses gases contributing to global warming. Many strategies to reduce emissions are targeting the methanogens that inhabit the rumen, but such an approach can only be successful if it targets all the major groups of ruminant methanogens. Therefore, a thorough knowledge of the diversity of these microbes in breeds of buffaloes, as well as in response to geographical location and different diets, is required. Therefore, molecular diversity of rumen methanogens in Surti buffaloes was investigated using 16S rRNA gene libraries prepared from pooled rumen contents from three Surti buffaloes. A total of 171 clones were identified revealing 23 different sequences (phylotypes). Of these 23 sequences, twelve sequences (12 OTUs, 83 clones) and 10 sequences (10 OTUs, 83 clones) were similar to methanogens belonging to the orders Methanomicrobiales and Methanobacteriales, and the remaining 1 phylotype (5 clones) were similar to Methanosarcina barkeri. These unique sequences clustered within a distinct and strongly supported phylogenetic group. Further studies and effective strategies can be made to inhibit the growth of Methanomicrobiales and Methanobacteriales phylotypes to reduce the methane emission from rumen and thus help in preventing global warming.

Comparative study of rumen fermentation and microbial community differences between water buffalo and Jersey cows under similar feeding conditions

“…buffalo and other ruminants. However, some studies conducted in India reported that methanogen community in buffalo was dominated by Methanomicrobium (Chaudhary and Sirohi 2009;Singh et al 2011). The present study further verified that ruminal methanogen community of buffalo in China is quite similar to other ruminants.…”

Influence of Host and Geographical Regions on the Rumen Methanogens Diversity in Indian Cattle and Buffaloes

“…The distribution frequency of Mm. mobile in cattle and buffaloes was in consonance with the global data sets [5,12,49] but there is a disagreement with previous reports of unprecedented higher distribution of Methanomicrobium in cattle [51,52] and buffaloes [53][54][55]. As these studies used PCR and cloning based approach; the primer bias could be one of the reason for the disagreement in Methanomicrobium abundance.…”

Influence of Diet Composition on Cattle Rumen Methanogenesis: A Comparative Metagenomic Analysis in Indian and Exotic Cattle

“…Earlier phylogenetic study based on 16S rRNA gene in metagenome of Indian bovine, suggested that more than 50% clones belonged to the order Methanomicrobiales [25]. In a study by Shin (2004) the predominant rumen methanogen in the rumen fluid and rumen epithelium were from the family Methanomicrobiaceae [26].…”