In his 2007 book Chasing Kangaroos, Tim Flannery rather extensively discusses the idea (treated in the text as something supported by scientific research, rather than an untested hypothesis) that the primary symbionts involved in foregut fermentation in kangaroos are strongyle nematodes, rather than single-celled microorganisms. I have been trying to look up the origin of these observations in the scientific literature, but have not been able to find any papers regarding this. Not even any papers “this was a hypothesis that was once suggested but has since been disproven”. All of the papers I have seen regard strongyle nematodes as parasites. The book itself does not cite any specific literature for this observation, and the bibliography does not mention anything about further references on kangaroo fermentation.
I was wondering if anyone knew the origins of this observation, and if it has been supported by the latest research.
Dear Russell, in this case, in this case, I would suggest you to contact the author of the book with this question.
It can be rather challenging to find all bibliographical sources, some obscure / omitted ones will appear time to time. Tim Flannery is responsive colleague, why not to ask him directly?
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