The Rumen Microbial Ecosystem

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xxii

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2. Introduction

   • P. N. Hobson

   Pages 1-9

3. The rumen bacteria

   • C. S. Stewart, H. J. Flint, M. P. Bryant

   Pages 10-72

4. The rumen protozoa

   • A. G. Williams, G. S. Coleman

   Pages 73-139

5. The rumen anaerobic fungi

   • C. G. Orpin, K. N. Joblin

   Pages 140-195

6. Development of, and natural fluctuations in, rumen microbial populations

   • B. A. Dehority, C. G. Orpin

   Pages 196-245

7. Energy-yielding and energy-consuming reactions

   • J. B. Russell, R. J. Wallace

   Pages 246-282

8. Metabolism of nitrogen-containing compounds

   • R. J. Wallace, R. Onodera, M. A. Cotta

   Pages 283-328

9. Polysaccharide degradation by rumen microorganisms

   • A. Chesson, C. W. Forsberg

   Pages 329-381

10. Lipid metabolism in the rumen

    • C. G. Harfoot, G. P. Hazlewood

    Pages 382-426

11. Genetics of rumen bacteria

    • R. M. Teather, M. A. Hefford, R. J. Forster

    Pages 427-466

12. Microbe-microbe interactions

    • M. J. Wolin, T. L. Miller, C. S. Stewart

    Pages 467-491

13. Compartmentation in the rumen

    • K.-J. Cheng, T. A. McAllister

    Pages 492-522

14. Manipulation of ruminal fermentation

    • T. G. Nagaraja, C. J. Newbold, C. J. van Nevel, D. I. Demeyer

    Pages 523-632

15. Digestive disorders and nutritional toxicity

    • K. A. Dawson, M. A. Rasmussen, M. J. Allison

    Pages 633-660

16. Biological models of the rumen function

    • P. N. Hobson, G. Fonty

    Pages 661-684

17. Rumen mathematical modelling

    • D. Sauvant

    Pages 685-708

18. Back Matter

    Pages 709-719

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The Preface to the first edition of this book explained the reasons for the publication of a comprehensive text on the rumen and rumen microbes in 1988. The microbes of the ruminant's forestomach and those in related organs in other animals and birds provide the means by which herbivorous animals can digest and obtain nutriment from vegetation. In turn, humans have relied, and still do rely, on herbivores for much of their food, clothing and motive power. Herbivores also form the food of carnivorous animals and birds in the wild. The importance of the rumen microorganisms is thus apparent. But, while a knowledge of rumen organisms is not strictly neces­ sary for the normal, practical feeding of farm animals, in recent years there has been much more emphasis on increasing the productivity of domesti­ cated animals and in rearing farm animals on unusual feedstuffs. Here, a knowledge of the reactions of the rumen flora, and the limits to these reactions, can be invaluable. In addition, anaerobic rumen-type microor­ ganisms are found in the intestines of omnivores, including humans, and can be implicated in diseases of humans and animals. They are also found in soils and natural waters, where they playa part in causing pollution and also in reducing it, while the same organisms confined in artificial systems are essential for the purification of sewage and other polluting and toxic wastes.

• Fermentation
• Polysaccharide
• Protozoa
• Toxin
• development
• ecosystem
• metabolism
• microbe
• reaction

• Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Aberdeen, UK

  P. N. Hobson

• The Nutrition Division, The Rowett Research Institute, UK

  C. S. Stewart

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