Domesticated Rare Animals (Yak, Mithun and Camel): Rumen Microbial Diversity

Abstract

The importance of rumen microbial ecology and diversity has gained significance in recent years as microbes have a profound effect on bioconversion of feed to end products which in turn affect productivity and also the environment. Recent research indicates that herbivores and their gut microbes have co-evolved while adapting to their climate and botanical environment. Rare domesticated ruminants like yak, mithun and camel are adapted to hostile environment and are of economic and social significance to more remote communities that rely heavily on the productivity of these rare ruminant livestock for their wellbeing. This review presents an account of the progress that has been made in rumen microbiology research and our current understanding of the rumen microbial ecosystem and its role in improving productivity of livestock and the environment with respect to yak, mithun and camel. The amount of information on rumen microbial diversity of these animals is limited. Only recently, high-throughput techniques are being employed to understand structural and functional diversity of rumen microbes of these animals. Limited data available so far indicate that there is a substantial host specificity in community structure of rumen microbes of these rare domesticated animals.

Yak (Bos grunniens) and mithun (Bos frontalis) are found at high altitude and have a grazing habit. They usually migrate to low altitude in search of pastures in the winter season. The scarcity of natural pasture at high altitude developed the animals to extract more nutrients from feed by increasing retention time and ability of microbes of rumen habitat for production of an array of enzymes for utilization of fibrous feeds. Camels (Camelus dromedarius) are adapted to extreme temperature and rely on scarce natural forages for their nutritional needs.