Morphological diversity of ruminal bacteriophages from sheep and cattle.
Large numbers of bacteriophages (2 x 10(7) to 1 x 10(8)/ml) were present in ruminal fluid from sheep and cattle. Twenty-six distinct types were identified and placed in three morphological groups; several phages possessed unusual structural features. The large numbers and diversity of phages observed indicates a possible role in bacterial lysis and hence in the population dynamics of the ruminal bacteria.
Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Nutrition, University of New England, New South Wales, Australia.
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Klieve
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Bauchop
D000818:Animals; D001435:Bacteriophages / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D002417:Cattle / Q000382:microbiology*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D012417:Rumen / Q000382:microbiology*; D012756:Sheep / Q000382:microbiology*