Ruminal fermentation and microbial ecology of buffaloes and cattle fed the same diet

ABSTRACT Although buffaloes and cattle are ruminants, their digestive capabilities and rumen microbial compositions are considered to be different. The purpose of this study was to compare the rumen microbial ecology of crossbred water buffaloes and cattle that were fed the same diet. Cattle exhibited a higher fermentation rate than buffaloes. Methane production and methanogen density were lower in buffaloes. Phylogenetic analysis of Fibrobacter succinogenes‐specific 16S ribosomal RNA gene clone library showed that the diversity of groups within a species was significantly different (P