The rumen microbiome is a dynamic environment consisting of bacteria, protist, and fungi responsible for fiber degradation. Advances in molecular techniques have enabled description of bacterial microbiome via pyrosequencing. Cattle consuming low-quality forage are often supplemented with protein to increase forage intake and digestion, but effect on the rumen bacterial community is unknown. Thus, increasing post-extraction algal residue (PEAR) and cottonseed meal (CSM) supplementation was provided to steers consuming oat straw to observe the rumen microbiome within the liquid and solid fraction. Weighted UniFrac analysis indicated different fraction-associated communities with greater similarity across treatments in the solid fraction. Bacteroidetes was the predominant phyla detected in all samples (>65%). Within Bacteroidetes, Prevotella was the most abundant genus. In the liquid fraction, Lachnospiraceae, Ruminococcaceae, and Clostridiaceae increased with PEAR provision (P < 0.05). Similar proportions of bacteria between unsupplemented control and CSM supplemented steers indicate factors other than N supply may impact ruminal bacteria populations. A second experiment evaluated the effect of supplemental CSM or dried distillers’ grain (DDG) for Brahman steers consuming rice straw. Total digestible OM intake and total tract OM digestion increased linearly with additional CSM and DDG provision (P < 0.01). Provision of CSM increased ruminal ammonia linearly (P < 0.01), but DDG supplementation resulted in a quadratic response (P = 0.02). Overall, protein supplementation may increase LQF utilization via changes in the rumen microbiome.

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Includes two of author's articles in pocket inside back cover. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 133-150) / xii, 150 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Diversity in the ruminal Gram negative bacterial species Selenomonas ruminantium has been investigated by DNA fingerprinting, DNA homology and plasmid profile analysis. Twenty different isolates from the sheep rumen were classified morphologically and by carbon source utilization. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Animal Science, Waite Agricultural Research Institute, 1993

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Animal Sciences, 1994. / Videorecording has title: Effect of antibodies on the motility of rumen ciliates. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 197-259).

Thesis (M.Ag. Sc.) -- University of Adelaide, Dept. of Animal Science, 2000. / Bibliography: leaves 139-167.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Murdoch University, 2004. / Thesis submitted to the Division of Science and Engineering. Bibliography: leaves 225-240.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Animal Science, Waite Agricultural Research Institute, 1993. / Includes two of author's articles in pocket inside back cover. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 133-150).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Oregon State University, 2008. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1991. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 97-106). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1990. / Vita. Abstract. No film copy made for this title. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 149-165). Also available via the Internet.