Methane emission by adult ostriches (Struthio camelus)

Frei, Samuel; Dittmann, M.; Reutlinger, Christoph; Ortmann, Sylvia; Hatt, Jean‐Michel; Kreuzer, Michael; Clauss, Marcus

doi:10.1016/j.cbpa.2014.10.019

Cited by 7 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 29 publications

(44 reference statements)

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“…Similar to this line of reasoning in macropods, Fievez et al (2001) and MiramontesCarillo et al (2008) suggested that ostriches (Struthio camelus) produce very little or no CH 4 based on in vitro measurements and molecular studies. However, Frei et al (2015a) nevertheless found significant amounts of methane produced by ostriches in vivo, at a magnitude expected for similar-sized non-ruminant mammals.…”

Section: Effect Of Feeding Regimen and Kangaroo Species On Methane Emmentioning

confidence: 67%

Decreasing methane yield with increasing food intake keeps daily methane emissions constant in two foregut fermenting marsupials, the western grey kangaroo and red kangaroo

Vendl

Clauss

Stewart

et al. 2015

Journal of Experimental Biology

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Fundamental differences in methane (CH 4 ) production between macropods (kangaroos) and ruminants have been suggested and linked to differences in the composition of the forestomach microbiome. Using six western grey kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus) and four red kangaroos (Macropus rufus), we measured daily absolute CH 4 production in vivo as well as CH 4 yield (CH 4 per unit of intake of dry matter, gross energy or digestible fibre) by open-circuit respirometry. Two food intake levels were tested using a chopped lucerne hay (alfalfa) diet. Body mass-specific absolute CH 4 production resembled values previously reported in wallabies and non-ruminant herbivores such as horses, and did not differ with food intake level, although there was no concomitant proportionate decrease in fibre digestibility with higher food intake. In contrast, CH 4 yield decreased with increasing intake, and was intermediate between values reported for ruminants and non-ruminant herbivores. These results correspond to those in ruminants and other non-ruminant species where increased intake (and hence a shorter digesta retention in the gut) leads to a lower CH 4 yield. We hypothesize that rather than harbouring a fundamentally different microbiome in their foregut, the microbiome of macropods is in a particular metabolic state more tuned towards growth (i.e. biomass production) rather than CH 4 production. This is due to the short digesta retention time in macropods and the known distinct 'digesta washing' in the gut of macropods, where fluids move faster than particles and hence most likely wash out microbes from the forestomach. Although our data suggest that kangaroos only produce about 27% of the body mass-specific volume of CH 4 of ruminants, it remains to be modelled with species-specific growth rates and production conditions whether or not significantly lower CH 4 amounts are emitted per kg of meat in kangaroo than in beef or mutton production.

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Section: Effect Of Feeding Regimen and Kangaroo Species On Methane Emmentioning

confidence: 67%

Decreasing methane yield with increasing food intake keeps daily methane emissions constant in two foregut fermenting marsupials, the western grey kangaroo and red kangaroo

Vendl

Clauss

Stewart

et al. 2015

Journal of Experimental Biology

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“…In ref. [102], the previously reported low methane emissions from these birds were revisited, and it was concluded that data from juvenile animals, which tend to be lower, cannot be extrapolated to an adult population [101]. Still, it can be worthwhile to consider animals with superior feed conversion efficiency as primary meat producers.…”

Section: Other Ruminantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Strategies to Mitigate Enteric Methane Emissions in Ruminants: A Review

et al. 2022

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Methane is the main greenhouse gas (GHG) emitted by ruminants. Mitigation strategies are required to alleviate this negative environmental impact while maintaining productivity and ruminants’ health. To date, numerous methane mitigation strategies have been investigated, reported and suggested by scientists to the livestock industry. In this review, the authors will focus on the commonly practiced and available techniques expanding the knowledge of the reader on the advances of methane mitigation strategies with a focus on the recent literature. Furthermore, the authors will attempt to discuss the drawbacks of the strategies in terms of animal health and performance reduction as well as the concept of feed and energy loss, adding an economic perspective to methane emission mitigation which is in the farmers’ direct interest. As a whole, many factors are effective in reducing undesired methane production, but this is definitely a complex challenge. Conclusively, further research is required to offer effective and efficient methane production mitigation solutions in ruminants worldwide, thus positively contributing to climate change.

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Comparative methane emission by ratites: Differences in food intake and digesta retention level out methane production

Frei

Hatt

Ortmann

et al. 2015

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular &

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Ratites differ in the anatomy of their digestive organs and their digesta excretion patterns. Ostriches (Struthio camelus) have large fermentation chambers and long digesta retention, emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae) have a short gut and short retention times, and rheas (Rhea americana) are intermediate. A recent study showed that ostriches produce as much methane (CH4) as expected for a similar-sized, non-ruminant mammalian herbivore. We hypothesized that emus and rheas produce less CH4 than ostriches. We individually measured, by chamber respirometry, the amount of O2 consumed as well as CO2 and CH4 emitted from six adult rheas (body mass 23.4 ± 8.3 kg) and two adult emus (33.5 and 32.0 kg) during 23-hour periods on a pelleted lucerne diet. In contrast to previous studies, which classified emus as non-producers, we measured CH4 emissions at 7.39 and 6.25 L/day for emus and 2.87 ± 0.82 L/day for rheas, which is close to values expected for similar-sized non-ruminant mammals for both species. O2 consumption was of a similar magnitude as reported previously. Across ratites CH4 yield (L/kg dry matter intake) was positively correlated with mean retention time of food particles in the gut, similar to findings within ruminant species. In ratites, this relationship leads to similar body mass-specific CH4 production for a high intake/short retention and a low intake/long retention strategy. Therefore, when investigating CH4 production in herbivorous birds, it is advisable to consider various CH4 measures, not only yield or absolute daily amount alone. (CH 4 ) as expected for a similar-sized, non-ruminant mammalian herbivore. We hypothesized 26 that emus and rheas produce less CH 4 than ostriches. We individually measured, by chamber 27 respirometry, the amount of O 2 consumed as well as CO 2 and CH 4 emitted from six adult 28 rheas (body mass 23.4 ± 8.3 kg) and two adult emus (33.5 and 32.0 kg) during 23-hour 29 periods on a pelleted lucerne diet. In contrast to previous studies, which classified emus as 30 non-producers, we measured CH 4 emissions at 7.39 and 6.25 L/day for emus and 2.87 ± 0.82 31 L/day for rheas, which is close to values expected for similar-sized non-ruminant mammals 32 for both species. O 2 consumption was of a similar magnitude as reported previously. Across 33 ratites CH 4 yield (L/kg dry matter intake) was positively correlated with mean retention time 34 of food particles in the gut, similar to findings within ruminant species. In ratites, this 35 relationship leads to similar body mass-specific CH 4 production for a high intake/short 36 retention and a low intake/long retention strategy. Therefore, when investigating CH 4 37 production in herbivorous birds, it is advisable to consider various CH 4 measures, not only 38 yield or absolute daily amount alone. 39 40

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Methane emission by adult ostriches (Struthio camelus)

Cited by 7 publications

References 29 publications

Decreasing methane yield with increasing food intake keeps daily methane emissions constant in two foregut fermenting marsupials, the western grey kangaroo and red kangaroo

Decreasing methane yield with increasing food intake keeps daily methane emissions constant in two foregut fermenting marsupials, the western grey kangaroo and red kangaroo

Strategies to Mitigate Enteric Methane Emissions in Ruminants: A Review

Comparative methane emission by ratites: Differences in food intake and digesta retention level out methane production

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