The population of bacteria ofSelenomonas ruminantium species in the rumen of fallow-deer was analyzed using endonucleolytic activity assay and plasmid profiles. This analysis indicated a high diversity within the population ofS. ruminantium. At least 12 different restriction profiles, indicating the presence of the different specificity nucleases, have been observed. Site-specific endonucleases were detected in 17 out of 45 strains tested. In other strains a various level of nonspecific activity was detected. Plasmid DNAs ranging in size from 0.9 to more than 25 kbp were detected in 60% of strains analyzed. No or little correlation was observed between the endonuclease activity and the plasmid content. The presence of different specificity endonucleases, as well as differences of plasmid profiles of isolates possessing identical specific activity indicate that the population ofS. ruminantium in the rumen of an individual animal consists of at least 10 different clones.

Institute of Animal Physiology Slovak Academy of Sciences 040 01 Kosice Slovakia

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