Distinct lactate utilization strategies drive niche differentiation between two co-existing Megasphaera species in the rumen microbiome.

ABSTRACT: Lactate utilization mitigates rumen acidosis and is associated with decreased methane production in the rumen. While several lactate utilization pathways exist across different microbial species in the rumen, how they are metabolically differentiated remains unclear. Here, we show that the key lactate-utilizing species Megasphaera hexanoica and Megasphaera elsdenii display distinct growth strategies based on their fermentative end products. This allows them to co-exist and play distinct metabolic roles, which appear particularly relevant in the early stages of rumen development, as both species are highly enriched in the calf. Specifically, M. hexanoica is more strongly associated with rumen microbiome states that involve increased lactate utilization and preferentially runs reverse beta-o

SUBMITTER: Strachan CR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12342382 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature