John Wallace, R.Sasson, G.Garnsworthy, P.C.Tapio, I.Gregson, E.Bani, P.Huhtanen, P.Bayat, A.R.Strozzi, F.Biscarini, F.Snelling, T.J.Saunders, N.Potterton, S.L.Craigon, J.Minuti, A.Trevisi, E.Callegari, M.L.Cappelli, F.P.Cabezas-Garcia, E.H.Vilkki, J.et al.2020-02-132020-02-132019Science Advances, 2019; 5(7):eaav8391-1-eaav8391-122375-25482375-2548http://hdl.handle.net/2440/123318A 1000-cow study across four European countries was undertaken to understand to what extent ruminant microbiomes can be controlled by the host animal and to identify characteristics of the host rumen microbiome axis that determine productivity and methane emissions. A core rumen microbiome, phylogenetically linked and with a preserved hierarchical structure, was identified. A 39-member subset of the core formed hubs in co-occurrence networks linking microbiome structure to host genetics and phenotype (methane emissions, rumen and blood metabolites, and milk production efficiency). These phenotypes can be predicted from the core microbiome using machine learning algorithms. The heritable core microbes, therefore, present primary targets for rumen manipulation toward sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture.en© 2019 The Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to original U.S. Government Works. Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial License 4.0 (CC BY-NC).MilkBloodRumenAnimalsCattleMethaneCohort StudiesPhylogenyPhenotypeFemaleGastrointestinal MicrobiomeJournal article003012073010.1126/sciadv.aav83910004787704000362-s2.0-85068611220480828Williams, J.L. [0000-0001-5188-7957]