ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the interactions that involve the rumen chytrid fungi and microbial groups, and to discuss the effects of the interactions on the metabolic activities of the fungi as revealed by recent studies in vitro and in vivo. The ruminant is dependent on the rumen microbial population to predigest ingested feed components and convert them into a utilizable form. The contents of the rumen are heterogeneous, and consisting of a solid mass of digesta suspended in a liquid phase. It has been estimated that approximately three-quarters of the ruminai microorganisms are attached to, or closely associated with, the digesta solids. The utilization of the catabolic products and metabolites of one group of organisms by other groups is necessary to sustain a diverse microbial population. The effect of fungi on plant cell-wall degradation has been assessed in the developing rumen.
