In the past decade, there has been an Increasing amount of interest in the rumen methanogens, because of the role of these organisms in energy loss for ruminants and also in global warming. Early studies identified a number of rumen methanogen species by culture-based methods. Recently, molecular-based culture independent approaches have revealed some most abundant methanogen genera and provide an overall picture of the diversity of methanogens in the rumen of domesticated ruminants. A wide diverse of methanogens is revealed to be present in the rumen having complex interactions with ruminal citiate protozoa, anaerobic fungi and bacteria. Many early studies focused on unusual biology and metabolism of methanogens and reduction of rumen methane emissions using direct means. However, opportunities exist for methane mitigation indirectly through manipulation in microbial interaction in the rumen. In recent years, the extent of the contribution of rumen ciliate protozoa to methane production has been established through studies of microbial interactions in the rumen, as presented in this review. Further, we discuss the evidence supporting an important contribution of anaerobic fungal populations and fibrolytic bacterial populations to methanogensis in the rumen through their interactions with methanogens. In conclusion, this review explores areas of deserving increased attention in the hope that this will stimulate further work.
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